Brand
name: Sporanox -
SPORANOX (Itraconazole)
Pronounced: SPORE-ah-nocks
Generic name: Itraconazole
Why is Sporanox prescribed?
Sporanox capsules are used to treat three types of serious fungal
infection: blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, and aspergillosis. Blastomycosis
can affect the lungs, bones, and skin. Histoplasmosis can affect the
lungs, heart, and blood. Aspergillosis can affect the lungs, kidneys,
and other organs. The drug is also prescribed for onychomycosis, which
infects the toenails and fingernails. Additionally, Sporanox is used
against fungal infections in people with weak immune systems, such
as AIDS patients.
Sporanox oral solution is used to treat candidiasis (fungal infection)
of the mouth, throat, and gullet (esophagus), and for other fungal
infections in people with weakened immunity and fever.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking
Sporanox
If Sporanox is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either
could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important
to check with your doctor before combining Sporanox with any of the
following:
Acid-blocking drugs such as Tagamet, Pepcid, and Zantac
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
Blood-thinning drugs such as Coumadin
Buspirone (BuSpar)
Busulfan (Myleran)
Caffeine-containing agents such as Cafergot
Calcium channel blockers such as Cardene, Norvasc, and Procardia
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Cilostazol (Pletal)
Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
Diazepam (Valium)
Disopyramide (Norpace)
Dofetilide (Tikosyn)
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Docetaxel (Taxotere)
Eletriptan (Relpax)
Erythromycin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, and others)
Indinavir (Crixivan)
Isoniazid
Levacetylmethadol
Lovastatin (Mevacor)
Methylprednisolone (Medrol)
Midazolam (Versed)
Nevirapine (Viramune)
Oral diabetes medications such as DiaBeta, Diabinese, Glucotrol, Micronase,
Orinase, and Tolinase
Phenobarbital
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Pimozide (Orap)
Quinidine (Quinidex)
Rifabutin (Mycobutin)
Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
Ritonavir (Norvir)
Saquinavir (Invirase)
Simvastatin (Zocor)
Sirolimus (Rapamune)
Tacrolimus (Prograf)
Triazolam (Halcion)
Trimetrexate (Neutrexin)
Vinblastine (Velban)
Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
The effects of Sporanox during pregnancy have not been adequately
studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your
doctor immediately. You should not take Sporanox to treat onychomycosis
if you are or may become pregnant. In any event, Sporanox should not
be used during pregnancy if the problem is a nail infection. In other
cases, check with your doctor before you take Sporanox.
Sporanox appears in breast milk and could affect a nursing infant.
If Sporanox is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you
to discontinue breastfeeding until your treatment with Sporanox is
finished.
Most important fact about Sporanox without prescriptions
Be sure to take Sporanox for as long as your doctor prescribes. It
will take 3 months or more to cure some infections completely. If you
stop taking Sporanox too soon, the infection may return.
How should you take Sporanox?
Take Sporanox exactly as prescribed. To make sure the capsules are
properly absorbed, you should take them after a full meal; the oral
solution should be taken without food. A cola drink can help some people
absorb the capsules better. Continue taking Sporanox until all Sporanox
is gone. Do not take antacids within 1 hour before or 2 hours after
taking Sporanox.
Swish the oral solution, 10 milliliters at a time, in your mouth for
a few seconds before swallowing it.
Mouth and throat candidiasis should clear up in several days.
The oral solution and capsules cannot be used interchangeably.
If you miss a dose SPORANOX :
Take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time
for the next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular
schedule. Never try to "catch up" by doubling the dose.
Storage instructions SPORANOX (Itraconazole)
Store at room temperature. Protect the capsules from light and moisture.
Do not freeze the oral solution.
SPORANOX (Itraconazole) side effects
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity,
inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine
if it is safe for you to continue taking Sporanox.
* Side effects may include:
Anxiety, bursitis, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, gas, headache, high blood pressure,
indigestion, injury, muscle pain, nasal and sinus inflammation, nausea, pain,
rash, respiratory infection, swelling due to water retention, urinary infection,
vomiting
* Additional side effects that may be seen with the oral solution
are:
Back pain, blood in the urine, breathing difficulty, chest pain, cough, dehydration,
difficulty swallowing, hemorrhoids, hot flushes, impaired speech, inflamed
mouth, insomnia, pneumonia, shivering, sweating, vision problems, weight loss
People being treated for onychomycosis may experience stomach and
intestinal disorders or rash, or, less commonly, headache, light-headedness
upon standing up, low blood pressure, muscle pain, a sick feeling,
or vertigo.
Why should Sporanox not be prescribed?
If you are sensitive to or have ever had an allergic reaction to Sporanox
or similar antifungal drugs such as Nizoral, you should not take Sporanox.
Make sure that your doctor is aware of any drug reactions that you
have experienced.
Sporanox can have a negative effect on the heart. It should not be
used for fungal nail infections in people with cardiac problems such
as congestive heart failure.
Serious heart problems, such as irregular heartbeats and even death,
have occurred in people who have taken Sporanox at the same time as
cisapride, levacetylmethadol, pimozide, or cholesterol-lowering drugs
known as statins, such as Mevacor and Zocor. Never take these drugs
with Sporanox, and avoid Halcion, Quinidex, Versed, and Tikosyn as
well.
During pregnancy, Sporanox should not be used for treatment of fungal
nail infections.
If you have cystic fibrosis or a low white blood cell count, taking
Sporanox is not advised.
Special warnings about Sporanox
In rare cases, Sporanox has been known to cause liver failure and
even death, sometimes within the first week of treatment. Sporanox
treatment is strongly discouraged if you have liver disease or have
experienced liver toxicity from other drugs. If you take Sporanox continuously
for more than a month, your doctor should monitor your liver function
periodically. If you develop such symptoms of liver disease as unusual
fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, dark urine,
or pale stool, stop taking Sporanox and contact your doctor immediately.
People with cardiac problems such as congestive heart failure should
avoid Sporanox unless the benefit clearly outweighs the danger. In
fact, anyone who is even at risk of heart failure should use Sporanox
with caution. Risk factors include heart and lung disorders and kidney
failure. If you experience swelling--especially in the feet and ankles--or
difficulty breathing while taking Sporanox, stop taking Sporanox and
contact your doctor immediately.
If you develop any nerve disorders while taking Sporanox, see your
doctor. Treatment will probably need to be discontinued.
Recommended dosage for Sporanox
ADULTS
Overdosage
Any drug taken in excess can have dangerous consequences. If you suspect
an overdose, seek emergency medical treatment immediately.
