Itraconazole

itraconazole (IH-truh-KAH-nuh-zole) is a drug used to prevent or treat fungal infections. It belongs to the family of drugs called antifungal agents.

Information about Itraconazole

Itraconazole is a orally administered, triazole antifungal agent used in the treatment of systemic and superficial fungal infections.

Liver safety of Itraconazole

Itraconazole therapy is associated with transient, mild-to-moderate serum elevations and can lead to clinically apparent acute drug induced liver injury.

Mechanism of action of Itraconazole

Itraconazole (it" ra kon' a zole) is a synthetic triazole fungicidal agent which acts by inhibition of fungal C14-a- ergosterol demethylase, which leads to a decrease in ergosterol synthesis, a necessary component of fungal cell membranes.

Itraconazole is used in the therapy of a broad spectrum of fungal infections including blastomycosis, aspergillosis, histoplasmosis, candidiasis and various superficial mycoses.

FDA approval information for Itraconazole

Itraconazole was approved for use in the United States in 1992 and continues to be widely used as an antifungal agent.

Dosage and administration for Itraconazole

Current indications include blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, aspergillosis and onychomycosis. Itraconazole is available in capsules of 100 mg, tablets of 200 mg and oral suspensions of 10 mg/mL in generic forms and under the brand name Sporanox. The typical dose is 100 to 400 mg daily based upon the type and severity of the fungal infection.

Side effects of Itraconazole

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash and hypokalemia.

• Dailymed label info on Itraconazole
• FDA Itraconazole