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 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 (Extina, Ketozole, Nizoral, Xolegal), if you have ever had congestive heart failure, or if you are pregnant or may become pregnant during treatment.
There are many other drugs that can cause serious or life threatening medical problems if you take them together with itraconazole. This includes cisapride (Propulsid), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), dofetilide (Tikosyn), ergonovine (Ergotrate), ergotamine (Ergomar), lovastatin (Advicor, Altocor, Altoprev, Mevacor), methylergonovine (Methergine), midazolam (Versed), nisoldipine (Sular), pimozide (Orap), quinidine (Quin-G), simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin), and triazolam (Halcion).
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."
Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Itraconazole will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking itraconazole?
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to itraconazole or similar medications such as fluconazole (Diflucan) or ketoconazole (Extina, Ketozole, Nizoral, Xolegal), if you have ever had congestive heart failure, or if you are pregnant or may become pregnant during treatment.
There are many other drugs that can cause serious or life threatening medical problems if you take them together with itraconazole. The following drugs should not be used while you are taking itraconazole:
cisapride (Propulsid);
dofetilide (Tikosyn);
lovastatin (Advicor, Altocor, Altoprev, Mevacor) or simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin);
midazolam (Versed) or triazolam (Halcion);
nisoldipine (Sular);
pimozide (Orap);
quinidine (Quin-G); and
ergot medicines such as dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), ergonovine (Ergotrate), ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Ercaf, Migergot), or methylergonovine (Methergine).
To make sure you can safely take itraconazole, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
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 will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
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.