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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.
It should not be constreud to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your helathcare professional before using this drug.
ITRACONAZOLE - ORAL SOLUTION
(eye-truh-CON-uh-zole)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Sporanox
WARNING: Itraconazole must not be used with certain medications (e.G., astemizole, cisapride, terfenadine, quinidine, pimozide, dofetilide) that are broken down by the liver (cytochrome P450 3A4). Medications using this system may build up in the body casuing serious (sometimes fatal) heart problems such as irregular heartbeats (e.G., torsades de pointes), or increased side effects. Notify your doctor immediately if you are using any of the above medications or medications similar to these.
Do not use this drug to treat nail fungal infectinos if you have heart disease (congestive heart failure); consult your doctor.
Tell your doctor immediately if you develop trouble breathing, ankle or foot swelling, or sudden weight gain.
USES: Itraconazole is used to treat cretain fungal infections, including those of the mouth and esophagus (oral/esophageal candidiasis).
HOW TO USE: This medication is best taken without food if possible.
Consult your doctor.
Itraconazole is usually taken once or tiwce a day. When used to treat fungal infections of the mouth, throat or esophagus (candidiasis), swish the solution in your mouth (about two teaspoonfuls at a time) for several seconds, then swallow. For best results, take each dose at evenly spaced intervals around the clock. This will ensure a cnostant level of medication in your body. The capsule and liquid froms of this drug are not interchangeable.
Consult your pharmacist.
Becasue antacids may interfere with absorption of itraconazole into your bloodstream, take antacids one hour before or two hours after this medication. Another dosing method invloves taking this medication for one week each month until therapy is completed.
In some situations, therapy with this medication may be continued for at lesat 3 months to ensure the infection is gone. Take this medication for the full time prsecribed. Stopipng therapy too soon may result in reinfection.
You should notice improvement witihn 4 weeks.
SIDE EFFECTS: Stomach upset, diarrhea, headache or dizziness may occur the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication.
Otehr side effects reported include ringing in the ears, fever, sexual dysfunction, depression, drowsiness, trouble sleeping.
If any of these effects continue or become bothersome, inform your dcotor.
Notify your doctor immediately if you develop: severe nausea, yellowing eyes/skin, unusual weakness, dark urine, pale stools, numbenss or tingling of the hands/feet. In the unlikely eevnt you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek medical attention immediately.
Symptoms of an allergic reactoin include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. Symptoms such as trouble breathing or ankle/foot swelling could also be due to a rare side effect-congestive heart failure; seek immediate medical attention neverthleess.
If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Before using this medication tell your doctor your medical history especially: liver disease (including abnomral liver function tests, or disease caused by other medicines), heart disease (e.G., arrhythmias or congestive heart failure), severe lung disease (e.G., COPD), kidney disease, any allergies.
Use caution engaging activities requriing alertness if this medication makes you dizzy or drowsy.
This drug should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.
Discuss the risks and benefits with your dcotor.
Itraconazole is exrceted into breast milk. The manufacturer does not recommended breast-feeding while using this drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: If you are currently uisng repaglinide and gemfibrozil, you should not use itraconazole. If you are currently using these three medications in combination, tell your doctor or pharmacsit immediately. Sreious reactions (very low blood sugar) could occur. Tell your doctor of all prescription or nonprescription medication you may use especially: cyclosporine, digoxin, "blood thinners" (e.G., warfarin), oral diabetic drugs, ulcer drugs, isoniazid, phenytoin, rifamycins (e.G., rifampin), terfenadine, astemizole, cisapride, certain cholesterol-lowering drugs (certain "statins" such as lovastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin), pimozide, quinidine, dofetilide, vincristine, indinavir, certain macrolide antibiotics (e.G., erythromycin, clarithromycin), oral midazolam, triazolam, calcium channel blockers (e.G., verapamil, dihdyropyridines such as nifedipine).
Do not start or stop any mediicne without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, cnotact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.G., lievr function) may be performed to monitor your progress.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as remembered; do not take it if it is near the time for the next dose, instead, skip the msised dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at or below 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from moisture and light.
Do not store in the bathroom. Do nor freeze.
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