Itraconazole (By mouth)

Introduction

Itraconazole (it-ra-KON-a-zole)

Treats fungal infections. This medicine is an antifungal antibiotic.

Brand Name(s)

Sporanox

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

Do not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to itraconazole. Do not use this medicine if you also use cisapride (Propulsid®), dofetilide (Tikosyn®), felodipine (Plendil®), levomethadyl (Orlaam®), methadone (Dolophine®), nisoldipine (Sular®), oral midazolam (Versed®), pimozide (Orap®), quinidine (Cardioquin®, Quinaglute®, Quinidex®), triazolam (Halcion®), certain medicines to lower cholesterol (such as lovastatin, simvastatin, Advicor®, Altocor?, Mevacor®, or Zocor®), or an ergot medicine (such as dihydroergotamine, ergometrine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergometrine, methylergonovine, Cafergot®, Ergomar®, Methergine®, or Migranal®). You should not use this medicine if you have certain heart problems such as heart failure.

How to Use This Medicine

Capsule, Liquid

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Sporanox® oral liquid works differently than Sporanox® capsules, even at the same dose. Do not switch from the capsules to the oral liquid unless your doctor tells you to.
• Take the capsule with or just after you eat a full meal. Take the oral liquid without food.
• Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.If you have thrush, swish the liquid in your mouth for several seconds and then swallow it.
• Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon.It may take several weeks or months for your infection to clear up completely. If you have a nail infection, it may take even longer because it can take several months to grow new nails.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you use alfentanil (Alfenta®), buspirone (Buspar®), cilostazol (Pletal®), cyclosporine, (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®), eletriptan (Relpax®), fentanyl (Sublimaze®), halofantrine (Halfan®), sirolimus (Rapamune®), tacrolimus (Prograf®), trimetrexate (Neutrexin®), or cancer medicines (such as busulfan, docetaxel, vincristine, Myleran®, Oncovin®, Taxotere®, or Vincasar®). Tell your doctor if you use a steroid medicine (such as budesonide, dexamethasone, fluticasone, methylprednisolone, Flonase®, or Pulmicort®), stomach medicine (such as cimetidine, omeprazole, ranitidine, Nexium®, Prevacid®, Protonix®, Tagamet®, or Zantac®), or a blood thinner (such as warfarin, Coumadin®).
• Tell your doctor if you also use medicine to treat HIV/AIDS (such as indinavir, nevirapine, ritonavir, saquinavir, Crixivan®, Fortovase®, Invirase®, Norvir®, or Viramune®), medicine to treat an infection (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, isoniazid, rifabutin, rifampin, Biaxin®, Ery-tab®, Mycobutin®, Rifadin®, or Rimactane®), medicine to lower cholesterol (such as atorvastatin, cerivastatin, or Lipitor®), medicine for heart problems (such as digoxin, disopyramide, Lanoxin®, or Norpace®), certain blood pressure medicines (such as amlodipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, verapamil, Calan®, Cardene®, Isoptin®, Norvasc®, Procardia®, or Verelan®), diabetes medicines that you take by mouth (such as glyburide, metformin, Actos®, Avandia®, Glucotrol®, or Glucovance®), medicine to treat seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, Dilantin®, Luminal®, or Tegretol®), or medicine for nerves or sleeping (such as alprazolam, diazepam, Valium®, or Xanax®).
• If you use antacids (such as Maalox®, Mylanta®, Pepcid® Complete, Rolaids®, or Tums®), take the antacid at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after the itraconazole.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, lung problems (such as asthma or COPD), any heart or heart rhythm problems, edema or body swelling, HIV infection or AIDS, or cystic fibrosis. Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to any other antifungal medicines such as fluconazole or ketoconazole.
• Check with your doctor right away if you have a rapid weight gain, trouble breathing, chest pain, extreme tiredness, uneven heartbeat, or body swelling. These may be symptoms of heart problems.
• Rarely, this medicine may cause severe liver problems. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have yellow skin or eyes, dark-colored urine, pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in the upper stomach. Tell your doctor if you have ever had liver problems caused by other medicines.
• This medication may cause neuropathy (nerve problems). Call your doctor right away if you have numbness, prickling, or a tingling feeling after you take this medicine.
• Temporary or permanent hearing loss may occur while you are taking this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have any changes in your hearing.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash
• Change in how much or how often you urinate
• Chest pain or coughing up blood
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Hearing loss
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in your upper stomach
• Numbness or tingling anywhere in your body
• Rapid weight gain
• Swelling in your face, hands, ankles, or feet
• Trouble breathing, cold sweats, and bluish-colored skin
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Yellow skin or eyes

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Diarrhea or mild stomach pain
• Headache

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088