Drug Name

Nizoral (Ketoconazole)

Drug Uses

Nizoral is used to treat a variety of fungal infections. Examples of these fungal infections include candida infections of the skin or mouth (thrush), blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, coccidiomycosis, as well as others. Nizoral is as well as used to treat fungal infections that possess not responded to griseofulvin, another antifungal medication.

How Taken

Nizoral may be used with or without food. Nizoral tablets need the acidity of the stomach to dissolve. Therefore, Nizoral should be administered at least two hours before using antacids or acid-inhibiting medications (such as Tagamet or Zantac). Nizoral should be avoided by patients with liver dysfunction. Signs of liver problems include unusual fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea as well as vomiting, yellowing of the skin (jaundice), not light urine, as well as pale stools. Development of these symptoms while using Nizoral should be reported to the physician.

Drug Class as well as Mechanism

Nizoral is an antifungal medication. Fungi are organisms normally found on the skin as well as in moist areas of the body. When the skin is injured or chronically moistened, or common bacteria flora of the body are altered due to prolonged antibiotic treatment, fungus can proliferate to cause inflammation of the skin or moist body areas. Fungus organisms can as well as infect the lungs as well as other body tissues especially in patients with weakened immune systems.

Missed Dose

Apply the missed dose as soon as likely but not incase it is almost time for the next dose. Incase it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose as well as resume your normal schedule.

Storage

Nizoral tablets: store at 59-86degrees F, protect from moisture. Nizoral shampoo: store at a temperature not above 77 degrees F, protect from light.

Warnings/Precautions

Be sure your doctor knows your health examination history, especially of: allergies. This medication should be used cautiously during pregnancy only incase clearly needed. This medication may appear in breast milk. Consult with your doctor before breast-feeding. Tell your doctor incase you are pregnant before using this cream.

Likely Side Effects

This medication may cause burning, stinging or redness when earliest applied to the skin. This should disappear in a few days as your body adjusts to the medication. Incase these effects persist or worsen, inform your doctor. Incase you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

More Information

This medication is prescribed for your current condition only. Do not take it for another infection or share it with someone else. Another infection later on may require a dissimilar medicine.