What are Nizoral Tablets Used For?
Nizoral Tablets (Ketoconazole) belongs to a class of drugs known as the imidazoles. It is used in the treatment of fungal infections by interfering with their growth and repair mechanisms.
Ketoconazole inhibits the production of a chemical called ergosterol, which is a component of the fungal cell wall. Damage to this wall cannot be repaired and this interferes with the cell's ability to reproduce.
Ketoconazole is used in the treatment of a number of different types of serious fungal infections, including those of the gut, skin and nails.
Nizoral Tablets are used to treat:
- Fungal infection throughout the body (systemic fungal infection)
- Infections of the skin and finger nails (not toe nails) proved to be resistant and which have failed to respond to other therapies
- Long term vaginal thrush infections (candidiasis) not responsive to other therapy
- Preventing fungal infections in people with a weakened immune system, for example due to chemotherapy, radiotherapy or bone marrow transplant
- Serious chronic candida infections of the mucosa and skin and serious fungal infections of the gastrointestinal tract not responsive or resistant to other therapy
Speacial Warning about Nizoral Tablets
Your liver functioning should be monitored while you are taking this medicine. Symptoms that may suggest a liver problem include persistent nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, or the development of jaundice (a yellow colouring to the skin and the whites of the eyes). Consult your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
Precautions when taking Nizoral Tablets
Nizoral Tablets should not to be used in:
- Life long inherited blood diseases which can cause a variety of symptoms, including mental health problems (porphyrias)
- Liver disease
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine. This medicine should not be used in pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor. This medicine passes into breast milk. Breastfeeding is not recommended when taking this medicine. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Do not take indigestion remedies at the same time of day as this medication. Take at regular intervals. Complete the prescribed course unless otherwise directed. Take this medication with or after food.
Side effects of Nizoral Tablets
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Itching (pruritus)
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Decreased sperm count (oligospermia)
- Headache
- Rash
- Hair loss (alopecia)
- Abnormal enlargement of breasts in men (gynaecomastia)
- Severe swelling of lips, face or tongue (angioedema)
- Dizziness
- Serious liver damage that may very rarely be fatal
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
How can Nizoral Tablets affect other medicines?
Terfenadine and cisapride are medicines that must not be taken with ketoconazole, since there is the risk of suffering irregular heartbeats.
Ketoconazole may increase blood levels of the following medicines. This can cause an increased effect or side effects:
- Cyclosporin
- Tacrolimus
- Methlyprednisolone and possibly other corticosteroids
- Mizolastine (avoid use together)
- Sildenafil
- Midazolam
- Indinavir
- Sertindole
The blood levels of ketoconazole may be reduced by the following:
- Antacids
- Histamine H2 antagonists (eg. cimetidine, ranitidine)
- Sucralfate
- Omeprazole and other proton pump inhibitors
- Isoniazid
- Rifampicin
- Phenytoin
- Nevirapine (avoid use together)
Ketoconazole may cause nausea, vomiting and facial flushing when taken with alcohol.
The effect of blood thinning medications such as nicoumalone and warfarin may be enhanced and so there is an increased risk of bleeding.
Ketoconazole may reduce the effectiveness of the oral contraceptive pill.
Ketoconazole increases blood levels of simvastatin therefore increasing the risk of muscle breakdown (myopathy).
The manufacturers of reboxetine and repaglinide recommend to avoid the use of these drugs with ketoconazole.
Categories
Your cart
