Ketoconazole is an antifungal drug used to treat fungal infections of the skin, fungal infection of the foot and hand. It is also used for the prevention and treatment of fungal infection of the scalp including dandruff and yeast infections of the skin.
How it works
Ketoconazole acts mainly by preventing the growth of fungi. It prevents yeasts and fungi from reproducing and from making their protective outer cell wall.
Dosage
Always follow the instructions of doctor regarding the dosage and duration.
Oral treatment of fungal infection (oral ketoconazole is not commonly used due to several drug interactions):
Adults: 200 to 400 mg daily once preferably after food.
Child (Over 2 years): 3.3 to 6.6 mg/kg body weight once daily after food.
Tinea pedis (athlete's foot) and tinea cruris (dhobie itch):
Adult: 2 % Cream to be applied on affected areas for 7 days. If symptoms have not improved within 7 days talk to your doctor.
For dandruff or dry or greasy scaling of the skin:
Shampoo every 3 or 4 days for 2 to 4 weeks, and once every 1 to 2 weeks to stop the symptoms.
Common side effects
Ketoconazole cream and shampoo: skin burning sensation, redness of skin, itching of skin, folliculitis (inflammation of base of skin hair), increased tears, hair loss, hypersensitivity reactions(severe allergic reactions), skin rash, skin exfoliation sticky skin, bleeding, and application site bleeding, discomfort, dryness, inflammation, irritation, tingling, numbness, pricking, burning of skin).
Oral ketoconazole: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain diarrhoea, headache, dizziness, drowsiness and rash, liver damage, indigestion, raised pressure in fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, blockade of synthesis of hormones from adrenal glands, inability to achieve erection, menstrual disorders, decreased sperm count, enlargement of breasts in men, decreased platlets, intolerance to sunlight, hair loss.
Who should not take
Patients who have known allergy to ketoconazole.
Breastfeeding women.
Patients with liver disease.
Patients currently taking cisapride.
Ketoconazole is an antifungal drug used to treat fungal infections of the skin, fungal infection of the foot and hand. It is also used for the prevention and treatment of fungal infection of the scalp including dandruff and yeast infections of the skin.
How it works
Ketoconazole acts mainly by preventing the growth of fungi. It prevents yeasts and fungi from reproducing and from making their protective outer cell wall.
Dosage
Always follow the instructions of doctor regarding the dosage and duration.
Oral treatment of fungal infection (oral ketoconazole is not commonly used due to several drug interactions):
Adults: 200 to 400 mg daily once preferably after food.
Child (Over 2 years): 3.3 to 6.6 mg/kg body weight once daily after food.
Tinea pedis (athlete's foot) and tinea cruris (dhobie itch):
Adult: 2 % Cream to be applied on affected areas for 7 days. If symptoms have not improved within 7 days talk to your doctor.
For dandruff or dry or greasy scaling of the skin:
Shampoo every 3 or 4 days for 2 to 4 weeks, and once every 1 to 2 weeks to stop the symptoms.
Common side effects
Ketoconazole cream and shampoo: skin burning sensation, redness of skin, itching of skin, folliculitis (inflammation of base of skin hair), increased tears, hair loss, hypersensitivity reactions(severe allergic reactions), skin rash, skin exfoliation sticky skin, bleeding, and application site bleeding, discomfort, dryness, inflammation, irritation, tingling, numbness, pricking, burning of skin).
Oral ketoconazole: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain diarrhoea, headache, dizziness, drowsiness and rash, liver damage, indigestion, raised pressure in fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, blockade of synthesis of hormones from adrenal glands, inability to achieve erection, menstrual disorders, decreased sperm count, enlargement of breasts in men, decreased platlets, intolerance to sunlight, hair loss.
Who should not take
Patients who have known allergy to ketoconazole.
Breastfeeding women.
Patients with liver disease.
Patients currently taking cisapride.