Ketoconazole.

Ketoconazole is used to treat fungal infections. Ketoconazole is most often used to treat fungal infections that can spread to different parts of the body through the bloodstream such as yeast infections of the mouth, skin, urinary tract, and blood, and certain fungal infections that begin on the skin or in the lungs and can spread through the body. Ketoconazole is also used to treat fungal infections of the skin or nails that cannot be treated with other medications. Ketoconazole is in a class of antifungals called imidazoles. It works by slowing the growth of fungi that cause infection.

How should this medicine be used?

Ketoconazole comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day. To help you remember to take ketoconazole, take it at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take ketoconazole exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Other uses for this medicine.

Ketoconazole is also sometimes used to treat vaginal yeast infections, tinea versicolor (spots on skin caused by yeast), eumycetoma (a severe fungal skin infection that often affects the foot), leishmaniasis (a disease caused by the bite of an infected sand fly), prostate cancer (cancer that begins in a male reproductive organ), high blood levels of calcium in patients with certain conditions, Cushing's syndrome (high blood levels of a natural substance called cortisol), and excessive hair growth in women. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking ketoconazole,

* tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ketoconazole, other antifungal medications such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporonox), or voriconazole (Vfend); any other medications; or corn.
* do not take ketoconazole if you are taking any of the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or triazolam (Halcion).
* tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: alprazolam (Xanax); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); buspirone (Buspar); calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), nisoldipine (Sular),and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan);clarithromycin (Biaxin); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); diazepam (Valium); digoxin (Lanoxin); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan), ritonavir (Norvir), and saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase); loratadine (Claritin); medications for diabetes; medications for erectile dysfunction such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra); methadone (Dolophine); methylprednisolone (Medrol); midazolam (Versed); phenytoin (Dilantin); pimozide (Orap); quinidine (Quinidex, Quinaglute); quinine; tacrolimus (Prograf); tamoxifen (Nolvadex); telithromycin (Ketek); trazodone (Desyrel); and vincristine (Vincasar). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
* if you are taking antacids; antihistamines; medications for heartburn or ulcers such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), nizatadine (Axid), or ranitidine (Zantac); or medications for irritable bowel disease, motion sickness, Parkinson's disease, ulcers, or urinary problems, take them 2 hours after you take ketoconazole.
* tell your doctor if you have or have ever had the conditions mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or any condition that decreases the amount of acid in your stomach.
* tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking ketoconazole, call your doctor. Do not breastfeed while you are taking ketoconazole.
* ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking ketoconazole. You may experience unpleasant symptoms such as flushing, rash, upset stomach, headache, and swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs if you drink alcohol while you are taking ketoconazole

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