The itraconazole , is an antifungal containing active ingredients, which weaken the cell wall to effectively destroy different fungi and yeasts from within. This medicine has the ability to be absorbed through the intestines and thus be able to reach the tissues that are infected through the bloodstream.
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Benefits obtained from itraconazole
This drug is prescribed to treat strong infections caused by the formation of fungi, thanks to its powerful antifungal action it can fight these infections and remain in the body for a long time to eliminate them completely and prevent them from reproducing again. Among the most frequent uses are:
Oral or esophageal candidiasis
It is an infection that occurs in the mouth, due to the genus candida albicans.
Candidiasis del vulvo vaginal
It is generated by yeast, which allows the appearance of strong infections that come from the candida albicans species.
Histoplasmosis
It originates from the histoplasma capsulatum fungus, it is an infection that forms in the lungs, which causes severe symptoms such as cough, fever, headaches, difficulty breathing, muscle aches, chills, among others.
Pityriasis had it versicolor
It is an infection that occurs on the skin and is characterized by the appearance of a kind of patches with light or dark colors in various parts of the epidermis.
Dermatophytosis had it
These infections are made up of a wide variety of fungi, which affect the nails, scalp, groin, feet, and other areas of the body.
fungal keratitis
It is an infection that affects the eyes, causing symptoms of pain, reduced vision, tearing and constant secretions.
Systemic aspergillosis
This disease contains a wide variety of infections, which are caused by aspergillus fungi, among them there are more than 180 types of species and they have the ability to affect the respiratory tract, since they are spread only by inhalation.
Sporotrichosis
It manifests itself through skin lesions in the form of nodules.
Cromomicosis
It is another skin infection that is generally contracted by various injuries, wounds and scrapes, they have the characteristic of staining the affected area with a black coloration.
Blastomicosis
This infection is generated by the blatomyces dermatitidis fungus, it directly affects the lungs and presents the same symptoms as histoplasmosis.
Paracoccidioidomycosis
It is a condition generated by ulcerations that affect the lungs, nose, face, mouth and digestive system. Before this, symptoms of fever, headache, cough and sweating may occur.
cryptococcosis
It is produced by inhaling cryptococcus fungi found in bird feces. The people most affected with this type of infection are those with a weak immune system and those with AIDS.
How to take itraconazole
- The capsule must be swallowed complete with a glass of water, if you cannot do so, you can open and mix the contents in a tablespoon of some soft food such as yogurt, flan or the like.
- It should preferably be taken after eating or while eating.
- It is important to do the full treatment, even when symptoms are no longer felt.
- Depending on the extent of the infection, the doctor will indicate the time in which the treatment with itraconazole should last, this can last days or several months.
Commercial presentation of itraconazole
This medicine comes in the following forms:
Capsules
Each contains 100 milligrams of active ingredient, sugar spheres such as sucrose, starch syrup and cornstarch, macrogol, hypromellose, sodium erythrosine, titanium dioxide, sodium indigotindisulfonate and gelatin.
Oral solution
For each milliliter, this solution has 10 milligrams of active ingredient accompanied by other components such as sorbitol E420, cherry flavor, hydroxypropyl-cyclodextrin, propylene glycol, caramel, hydrochloric acid, sodium saccharin, sodium hydroxide and distilled water.
Injectable solution
This solution contains 10 milligrams of active ingredient for each milliliter of it, along with other components such as concentrated hydrochloric acid, propylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, hydropropyl-cyclodextrin and water for injections.
Recommended dose
- In adults, take 1 to 2 capsules of 100 milligrams per day as prescribed by the treating physician.
- In children, it is not recommended, only in some cases the doctor can recommend drugs that contain itraconazole with the appropriate dose.
Precautions when taking itraconazole
It is important to take into account the following precautions, before starting a treatment with itraconazole:
- You should inform your doctor if you have hypersensitivity to this drug or any of the components of this drug.
- The treating doctor must be informed if there is a medical history related to kidney, heart, liver, lung or stomach diseases, to indicate whether or not to use.
- Alcohol consumption should be avoided during treatment as it can cause dizziness.
- It is not wise to drive or do any activity that requires alertness while taking this medication.
- Older people are at risk of temporary hearing loss from the use of this remedy.
Itraconazole side effects
In case of allergic reactions or symptoms such as those mentioned below after taking it, it is necessary to immediately receive medical attention or call the treating doctor:
- Tingling in the arms and legs.
- Rash and hives on the body.
- Swelling of the tongue, face, lips, and throat.
- Feeling light-headed or confused.
- Shortness of breath, nasal congestion, cough with mucus, fast heartbeat, insomnia, or rapid weight gain.
- Double or blurred vision, trouble hearing, or ringing in the ears.
- Lack of bladder control.
- Fever.
- Severe muscle aches
- Headaches.
- Severe pain in the upper stomach and back.
- Nausea and vomiting
- Burning and pain when urinating.
- Little or no urine.
- Feeling tired.
- Lack of appetite.
- Impotence and erection problems in men.
- Alteration in menstrual periods.
- Clay-colored stools and dark urine.
- Yellow coloring in the eyes and on the skin.
Conclusion of the use of itraconazole
In conclusion, it can be said that itraconazole is an antifungal that is used for treatments related to fungal infections in the lungs, which if not controlled can spread throughout the body. It is also very useful for delaying the growth of various fungi and yeasts that become skin infections, on the nails, on the feet known as athlete’s foot, in the mouth, in the vagina and in other parts of the body.
We hope that this information will be of great use to you. Thanks for your preference!
Dr. Samantha Robson ( CRN: 0510146-5) is a nutritionist and website content reviewer related to her area of expertise. With a postgraduate degree in Nutrition from The University of Arizona, she is a specialist in Sports Nutrition from Oxford University and is also a member of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.