Nizoral (Ketoconazole) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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May 26, 2012

Nizoral

Ringworm »

Ringworm facts

Ringworm is a common fungal infection of the skin and is not due to a worm.
The medical term for ringworm is tinea. The condition is further named for the site of the body where the infection occurs.
Ringworm causes a scaly, crusted rash that may itch.
Ringworm can be successfully treated with antifungal medications used either topically or orally.

What does the term ringworm mean?

The term ringworm or ringworms refers to fungal infections that are on the surface of the skin. The name is derived from the early belief that the infection was due to a worm, which it is not. Ringworm is a fungal infection in the skin. Nevertheless, the name ringworm remains. Some of these fungi produce round spots on the skin, but many do not. On the other hand, many round, red spots on the skin are not due to a fungal infection. A physical examination of the affected s...

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NIZORAL®
(ketoconazole) Tablets

WARNING

When used orally, ketoconazole has been associated with hepatic toxicity, including some fatalities. Patients receiving this drug should be informed by the physician of the risk and should be closely monitored. See WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS sections.

Coadministration of terfenadine with ketoconazole tablets is contraindicated. Rare cases of serious cardiovascular adverse events, including death, ventricular tachycardia and torsades de pointes have been observed in patients taking ketoconazole tablets concomitantly with terfenadine, due to increased terfenadine concentrations induced by ketoconazole tablets. See CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS, and PRECAUTIONS sections.

Pharmacokinetic data indicate that oral ketoconazole inhibits the metabolism of astemizole, resulting in elevated plasma levels of astemizole and its active metabolite desmethylastemizole which may prolong QT intervals. Coadministration of astemizole with ketoconazole tablets is therefore contraindicated. See CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS, and PRECAUTIONS sections.

Coadministration of cisapride with ketoconazole is contraindicated. Serious cardiovascular adverse events including ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation and torsades de pointes have occurred in patients taking ketoconazole concomitantly with cisapride. See CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS, and PRECAUTIONS sections.

DRUG DESCRIPTION

NIZORAL® (ketoconazole) is a synthetic broad-spectrum antifungal agent available in scored white tablets, each containing 200 mg ketoconazole base for oral administration. Inactive ingredients are colloidal silicon dioxide, corn starch, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and povidone. Ketoconazole is cis-1-acetyl-4-[4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxyl]phenyl] piperazine and has the following structural formula:

NIZORAL (ketoconazole) Structural Formula Illustration

Ketoconazole is a white to slightly beige, odorless powder, soluble in acids, with a molecular weight of 531.44.

What are the possible side effects of ketoconazole (Nizoral)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat;
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
numbness or tingly feeling;
severe depression, confusion, or thoughts of hurting yourself; or
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, weakness,...

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What are the precautions when taking ketoconazole (Nizoral)?

Before taking ketoconazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other azole antifungal drugs (such as fluconazole, itraconazole); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver problems, alcohol use, low testosterone levels, decreased adrenal gland function problems (such as low cortisol levels, Addison's disease, adrenal insufficiency), little or no stomach acid production (achlorhydria).

Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication because alcohol increases the risk of serious liver problems. Avoiding...

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Last reviewed on RxList: 4/20/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.