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| Pronunciation |
|
 (i
tra KOE na
zole) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Sporanox® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Isox (Mexico); Itranax®
(Mexico) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antifungal Agent, Oral |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- This medicine does not mix well with many medications. It should
not be taken if you are also taking terfenadine, astemizole, and cisapride.
Life-threatening reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare
provider.
|
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
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- If you have an allergy to another azole fungus medicine, itraconazole,
or any other part of the medicine.
- If you are taking any of these medicines: Astemizole, cisapride,
lovastatin, midazolam, simvastatin, or
triazolam.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used for the treatment of certain types of fungus
(yeast) infections. It can treat oral, esophageal (swallowing tube) infections
and fingernail infections too.
- Sometimes it is used to prevent fungus (yeast)
infections.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Itraconazole causes a leakiness in the fungus (yeast) cell that causes
its death.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
- Take capsule with a full meal.
- Do not take antacids or sucralfate within 2 hours of this medicine.
- A liquid (solution) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those
who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before
and after medicine is given.
- Take liquid (solution) on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2
hours after meals.
- Use entire prescription as directed, even if feeling better.
- Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit
juice.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can make infection
more difficult to treat.
- Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake.
Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, rapid heartbeats, and
anxiety.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Belly pain and cramps.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Diarrhea. Call healthcare provider if severe or prolonged.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Rash. Talk with healthcare provider if one
develops.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Watch for change in temperature or worsening of
infection.
|
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Fever and/or chills, nausea, vomiting, belly pain, feeling tired, dark
urine, yellow eyes/skin, no appetite.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
|
|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight light-resistant container at room temperature.
Protect capsules from moisture.
|
|
|
| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.
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