What is Itraconazole?

Itraconazole is an antifungal medication.
Itraconazole is used to treat infections caused by fungus, which can invade any part of the body including the lungs, mouth or throat, toenails, or fingernails.
Itraconazole may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Itraconazole?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to itraconazole or similar medications such as fluconazole (Diflucan) or ketoconazole (Nizoral), if you have ever had congestive heart failure, or if you are pregnant or may become pregnant during treatment.
You should not take itraconazole together with cisapride (Propulsid), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), dofetilide (Tikosyn), ergonovine (Ergotrate), ergotamine (Ergomar), lovastatin (Altocor, Altoprev, Mevacor), methylergonovine (Methergine), midazolam (Versed), nisoldipine (Sular), pimozide (Orap), quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex, Quin-Release), simvastatin (Zocor), or triazolam (Halcion).
Other drugs that should not be taken together with itraconazole include astemizole (Hismanal), or levomethadyl Orlaam) (these drugs are no longer available in the U.S.).
There are many other medicines that can interact with itraconazole. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.
Before taking itraconazole, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, a history of stroke, a heart rhythm disorder, kidney or liver disease, a breathing disorder, cystic fibrosis, or a history of “Long QT syndrome.”
Itraconazole capsules should not be used in place of itraconazole oral solution (liquid) if that is what your doctor has prescribed. Make sure you have received the correct type of this medication at the pharmacy and ask the pharmacist if you have any questions.
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Itraconazole?

cisapride (Propulsid)
dofetilide (Tikosyn)
nisoldipine (Sular)
pimozide (Orap)
quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex, Quin-Release)
lovastatin (Altocor, Altoprev, Mevacor) or simvastatin (Zocor)
midazolam (Versed) or triazolam (Halcion)
ergot medicines such as dihydroedrgotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), ergonovine (Ergotrate), ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Ercaf, Migergot), or methylergonovine (Methergine); or
(these drugs are no longer available in the U.S.) astemizole (Hismanal), or levomethadyl Orlaam)

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take itraconazole:

heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder, circulation problems, or a history of stroke
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other breathing disorder
kidney disease
liver disease
cystic fibrosis; or
a personal or family history of “Long QT syndrome.”

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether itraconazole is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Itraconazole passes into breast milk and can harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Itraconazole Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Itraconazole?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

fever
feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion
swelling, rapid weight gain
problems with hearing
numbness or tingly feeling
pain or burning when you urinate; or
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, weakness, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Less serious side effects may include:

diarrhea, constipation, mild stomach pain
mild itching or skin rash
headache, dizziness; or
runny nose or other cold symptoms

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Itraconazole Interactions

What other drugs affect Itraconazole?

Many drugs can interact with itraconazole. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:

a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin)
cancer medications
cholesterol medications such as atorvastatin (Lipitor)
cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmune, Neoral)
diabetes medication you take by mouth
digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin)
disopyramide (Norpace)
fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic)
isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis)
rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater, Rifamate), or rifapentine (Priftin)
sirolimus (Rapamune) or tacrolimus (Prograf)
an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), telithromycin (Ketek), or troleandomycin (Tao)
an antifungal medication such as clotrimazole (Mycelex Troche), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or voriconazole (Vfend)
an antidepressant such as nefazodone, paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft)
a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Solfoton)
heart or blood pressure medications such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others
HIV/AIDS medicine such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz (Sustiva), etravirine (Intelence), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase), or ritonavir (Norvir)
a sedative such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium); or
seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), or phenytoin (Dilantin), or primidone (Mysoline)

This list is not complete and there are many other medicines that can interact with itraconazole. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

What should I avoid while taking Itraconazole?

Avoid taking antacids or stomach acid reducers (Tagamet, Pepcid, Axid, Zantac, and others) within 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take itraconazole. These medications can make it harder for your body to absorb itraconazole.

Itraconazole Dosage

How should I take Itraconazole?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
The itraconazole tablet should be taken after a full meal.
Take itraconazole oral solution (liquid) on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Swish the liquid in your mouth for several seconds before swallowing it.
Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Itraconazole capsules should not be used in place of itraconazole oral solution (liquid) if that is what your doctor has prescribed. Make sure you have received the correct type of this medication at the pharmacy and ask the pharmacist if you have any questions.
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your liver function may need to be checked with blood tests on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Store itraconazole at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I overdose on Itraconazole?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of an itraconazole overdose are not known.

What happens if I miss a dose of Itraconazole?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com

Itraconazole