Find information on thousands of medical conditions and prescription drugs.

Itraconazole


Itraconazole (marketed as Sporanox® by Janssen Pharmaceutica) is an antifungal agent that is prescribed to patients with fungal infections. The drug may be given orally or intravenously. more...

Home
Diseases
Medicines
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
Ibuprofen
Idarubicin
Idebenone
IFEX
Iloprost
Imatinib mesylate
Imdur
Imipenem
Imipramine
Imiquimod
Imitrex
Imodium
Indahexal
Indapamide
Inderal
Indocin
Indometacin
Infliximab
INH
Inosine
Intal
Interferon gamma
Intralipid
Invanz
Invirase
Iontocaine
Iotrolan
Ipratropium bromide
Iproniazid
Irbesartan
Iressa
Irinotecan
Isocarboxazid
Isoflurane
Isohexal
Isoleucine
Isomonit
Isoniazid
Isoprenaline
Isordil
Isosorbide
Isosorbide dinitrate
Isosorbide mononitrate
Isotretinoin
Itraconazole
Ivermectin
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

Pharmacology

The mechanism of action of itraconazole is the same as the other azole antifungals: it inhibits cytochrome P450 oxidase mediated sysnthesis of ergosterol.

Indication

Itraconazole has a broader spectrum of activity than fluconazole (but not as broad as voriconazole or posaconazole). In particular, it is active against aspergillus, which fluconazole is not. It is also licenced for use in blastomycosis, histoplasmosis and onychomycosis.

Dosing

Itraconazole is available as capsules or as an oral solution. The dose is 200mg once a day, to 400mg in severe infection. There is an intravenous preparation available in the US, but not in the UK. In the UK, if an intravenous preparation is required, then an alternative antifungal drug should be used.

The main problem with the use of itraconazole is its poor absorption, especially when given in capsule form. The oral solution is much better absorbed and should always be used in preference to the capsule. The cyclodextrin contained in the oral solution can cause an osmotic diarrhoea, and if this is a problem, then half the dose can be given as oral solution and half as capsule in order to reduce the amount of cyclodextrin given. Itraconazole capsules should always be taken with food, as this improves absorption. Itraconazole oral solution should be taken an hour before food, or two hours after food (and likewise if a combination of capsules and oral solution are used). Itraconazole should be taken with orange juice or cola, as absorption is also improved by acid. Absorption of itraconazole is impaired when taken with an antacid, H2-blocker or proton pump inhibitor.

In life-threatening situations, some doctors give an oral loading dose of 200mg three times a day for three days, before dropping down to the usual dose. Because itraconazole absorption is unreliable, blood levels should be monitored at least once a week in those patients who are being treated for life-threatening (or potentially life-threatening) fungal infections.

In intravenous dosing, four doses of itraconazole 200mg are given 12 hours apart, before changing the dose to once daily. There is no safety data for giving the intravenous preparation for more than 14 days continuously.

Adverse effects

Itraconazole is a relatively well tolerated drug (although not as well tolerated as fluconazole or voriconazole) and the range of adverse effects it produces is similar to the other azole antifungals.

  • Elevated alanine aminotransferase levels is found in 4% of people taking itraconazole
  • Congestive Heart Failure

The cyclodextrin that is used to make the syrup preparation can cause diarrhoea.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]


Disseminated primary cutaneous hisplasmois successfully treated with itraconazole.(Case Report) : An article from: Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology $5.95 Business Wire : Eon Labs Begins Shipping Itraconazole Capsules. $5.95
Successful treatment of an invasive aspergillosis of the skull base and paranasal sinuses with liposomal amphotericin B and itraconazole : An article from: ... Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology $10.00

Response to itraconazole in patients with mediastinal granuloma
PURPOSE: Mediastinal Granuloma is an uncommon cause of a mediastinal mass. It is thought to be due to Histoplasma infection. Surgical resection is advocated ...
Single pulse dose of itraconazole effective in the treatment of tinea pedis - Washington Whispers - Author Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of single pulse dosing of itraconazole in the treatment of tinea pedis. This was an open-design, ...
AN OPEN-LABEL COMPARISON OF ORAL VORICONAZOLE AND ITRACONAZOLE FOR LONG-TERM TREATMENT OF PARACOCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS
Queiroz-Telles, F.1; Goldani, L. Z.2; Goodrich, J. M.3; Schlamm, H. T.4; Shikanai-Yasuda, M. A.5 1 UFPR - Hospital das Clinicas; 2 UFRGS - Hospital das ...
Voriconazole versus itraconazole for fungal prophylaxis after lung transplantation
PURPOSE: Aspergillus and other fungal infections are common causes of morbidity and mortality in lung transplant recipients. Most patients receive prophylaxis ...
PRODUCTION OF TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR ALPHA AND INTERLEUKIN-6 BY HUMAN MONOCYTES STIMULATED IN VITRO WITH PARACOCCIDIOIDES BRASILIENSIS TREATED WITH AMPHOTERICIN
Nakaira, E. T.1; Sugizaki, M. F.2; Soares, A. M. V. C.3; Nascimento, M. P. P.4; Martins, R. A. R.5; Peraçoli, M. T. S.6 1,2,3,4,5,6IB - UNESP - Botucatu ...
Double blind, randomised study of continuous terbinafine compared with intermittent itraconazole in treatment of toenail onychomycosis
The antifungal drug terbinafine taken every day for 12 to 16 weeks appears to be more effective in treating onychomycosis than itraconazole taken once a week for the same period. This was the conclusi
Itraconazole 0.1% Nasal Irrigation
METHOD OF PREPARATION Note: This preparation should be done in a laminar airflow hood in a cleanroom or via isolation barrier technology by a validated ...
Itraconazole Safe For Patients on Diabetes Drugs
Itraconazole can safely be used to treat dermatological disorders in diabetic patients who are taking antidiabetic agents. This was the conclusion ...

Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay