Brand Name(s): Sporanox
Generic Name Itraconazole
What are itraconazole capsules?
ITRACONAZOLE (Sporanox®) is an antifungal type of antibiotic. It treats serious fungal infections; especially those associated with the lungs. Generic itraconazole capsules are available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•heart disease, including angina or heart failure
•liver disease
•lung disease, including COPD
•kidney disease or on dialysis
•an unusual or allergic reaction to itraconazole, or other azole medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. This medicine work best if you take it with food or a cola beverage. If you drink grapefruit juice, limit the amount you drink or avoid it while taking this medicine. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed even if you feel better. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with itraconazole capsules?
Do not take itraconazole with the following medications or foods:
•astemizole (Hismanal®)
•bosentan (Tracleer™)
•cerivastatin (Baycol®)
•cimetidine (Tagamet®)
•cisapride (Propulsid®)
•dofetilide (Tikosyn™)
•esomeprazole (Nexium®)
•famotidine (Pepcid®)
•lansoprazole (Prevacid®)
•lovastatin (Advicor®, Altocor™, Mevacor®)
•nizatidine (Axid®)
•omeprazole (Prilosec®)
•pantoprazole (Protonix®)
•pimozide (Orap®)
•quinidine (Cardioquin®, Quinidex®, Quinaglute®)
•rabeprazole (AcipHex™)
•ranitidine (Zantac®)
•simvastatin (Zocor®)
•terfenadine (Seldane®)
•triazolam (Halcion®)
•went yeast (Cholestin™)
Other drugs that may interact with itraconazole include:
•antacids
•atorvastatin
•cilostazol
•clarithromycin
•cyclosporine
•digoxin
•dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, or methysergide
•doxercalciferol
•erythromycin
•medicines for anxiety or sleep (e.g., alprazolam, estazolam)
•medicines for diabetes that are taken by mouth
•medicines for HIV infection or AIDS
•medicines for tuberculosis (e.g., isoniazid, INH, rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine)
•methadone
•other medicines for fungal or yeast infections
•paricalcitol
•phenytoin
•pravastatin
•rosuvastatin
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking itraconazole capsules?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Rare or uncommon:
•difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
•dark yellow or brown urine
•loss of appetite
•pale stools
•redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
•skin rash, itching
•stomach pain
•skin rash, itching, hives
•swelling, fluid retention
•unusual fatigue
•vomiting
•yellowing of the eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•diarrhea
•dizziness
•headache
•nausea
What should I watch for while taking itraconazole capsules?
If you experience unusual fatigue, loss of appetite (anorexia), nausea and/or vomiting, yellowing of skin, dark urine, or pale stools, stop taking itraconazole immediately and contact your healthcare provider.
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not begin to improve in 1 to 2 weeks. Some fungal infections need many weeks or months of treatment to cure. Take your medicine regularly for as long as your prescriber or health care professional tells you to.
Do not take ranitidine (Zantac®), cimetidine (Tagamet®), famotidine (Pepcid®), or other agents [e.g., omeprazole (Prilosec®), lansoprazole (Prevacid®), pantoprazole (Protonix®)] that may decrease the acid in your stomach. Itraconazole needs acid in the stomach so that it can be absorbed. If you use antacids, do not take them at the same time as itraconazole. Take itraconazole 1 hour before or 4 hours after antacids.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at or below 25 degrees C (77 degrees F). Do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
| Available at: www.DrugDigest.org | Last Updated:08/14/2006 |
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