Itraconazole

Itraconazole is an antifungal treatment that is used to treat infections caused by fungi and yeasts.

Can I buy Itraconazole online?

The Online Clinic can prescribe Sporanox (Itraconzole) following an online consultation with one of our GPs. You simply complete a consultation form to be reviewed by a doctor. If you are approved, you can then order the medication for next day delivery. The consultation is free and without obligation.

What is Itraconazole?

The antifungal medicine, Itraconazole can be used to treat infections in your mouth and food tube, of the skin, vagina, or other organs of the body. It can also be used for some nail infections. It is used particularly if your immune system that protects the body from infection is weak, such as when you have blood complications or bone marrow transplantation (although this is outside the scope of an online service).

Itraconazole is a broad-spectrum antifungal, meaning it kills many different types of fungi or yeast. It does this by disrupting the production of a component called ergosterol, which is necessary for cell membranes. Holes form in the cell membranes enabling the cell contents to flow out, killing the fungal and yeast cells.

How to use Itraconazole

Itraconazole can be prepared as capsules, an oral solution or an intravenous solution. Your doctor will inform you exactly how to take Itraconazole. How much medicine to take, when to take it, and how long to take it will depend on your infection. It is important not to stop taking this medicine until you are told to, even if the infection appears to have gone; the infection could come back.

The capsules are swallowed whole after food. Itraconazole capsules will not work as effectively without enough stomach acid. Therefore, they must not be taken alongside medicines for indigestion, heartburn or stomach ulcers because these medicines prevent acid in your stomach (you should take these medicines 2 hours after itraconazole). If the medicines that you take stop stomach acid production, take Itraconazole capsules with a cola drink. The oral solution must be taken 1 hour before food or drink, or it will not be well absorbed. The intravenous solution is given to you by a nurse or doctor.

If you take too much Itraconazole, contact a doctor immediately. If you forget, then take it when you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose. Take your next dose only, and do not take more to make up for the forgotten dose. These situations are unlikely to happen with the intravenous medicine that is administered by a nurse or doctor.

Who can use Itraconazole?

Itraconazole is for use by adults only; it is not recommended for children or the elderly, or women who are pregnant or breast feeding. Use contraceptive methods to ensure that you do not become pregnant from the time you start the medicine until you stop and from the time you stop until your next menstrual bleed. Immediately stop the medicine and tell your doctor if you conceive.

You should not use this medicine if you allergic to Itraconazole or any of the components of the capsules/liquid you are given. Your doctor will want to know if you have had an allergic reaction to another antifungal medicine. Inform the doctor about any heart, liver or kidney problems. Your condition could worsen or you may need a different dose.

There are many different medicines treating a wide range of health problems that are not recommended or change the effectiveness of Itraconazole. In general, Itraconazole and these other medicines should not be used within 2 weeks of each other. It is therefore important that you inform your doctor of all medicines (including herbal remedies) you are taking, have taken or may take before using Itraconazole.

Itraconazole cannot be used if you are taking certain medicines. These include medicines for allergies, high cholesterol levels, heart and blood conditions, migraine behavioural problems, drug abuse, digestive problems, water problems, gout, after childbirth, malaria, and cancer. Medicines that may require you to have a different dose of Itraconazole or alter your dose of other treatment, including (but there are more) those used to treat severe pain, the stomach, behaviour, cancer, viral/bacterial infections, heart/blood vessel/blood, migraine, inflammation, asthma or allergies, organ transplant, overactive bladder, erection problems, and diabetes. It is very important that you disclose all medicine regimens to our doctor during the consultation.

Itraconazole side effects

Immediately stop this medicine and contact a doctor if you have signs of: an allergic reaction such as a rash or itchy skin, or swelling of any part of your body, especially facial areas; severe skin reaction such as peeling and blistering especially eyes, mouth, and genitals, with fever/chills, muscle aches, and feeling unwell; liver problems such as severe appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, yellow skin/eyes, very dark urine/pale stools or fatigue; heart failure such as breathlessness, swollen legs, weight gain, fatigue, or disturbed sleep; tingling sensations or weakness/numbness in hands or feet; pancreatitis such as stomach pain (usually with nausea and vomiting); or experience hearing loss or ringing, double/blurred vision, or change in urinary control.

Nausea, stomach ache and headache are common, while vomiting, indigestion, wind, constipation, diarrhoea, coughs, colds, sinusitis are uncommon. Rarely experienced are alterations in liver function, blood triglyceride levels, and urination frequency; blood disorders increasing infection risk; hair loss/thinning; light-sensitive skin; and erectile dysfunction.

Most patients do not get any side effects, but it is important that you let us know if you do.