Ketoconazole tablets

What is this medicine?

KETOCONAZOLE (kee toe KON na zole) is an antifungal medicine. It is used to treat certain kinds of fungal infections.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a full glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. This medicine works best if you take it with food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• dark urine

• feeling dizzy, faint

• fever

• irregular heartbeat, chest pain

• light color stools

• loss of appetite

• usually tired or weak

• yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• breast swelling and tenderness

• change in sex drive or performance

• eyes more sensitive to light

• headache

• nausea, vomiting

• stomach pain

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• alfuzosin

• certain medicines for anxiety or sleep like alprazolam, midazolam, triazolam

• certain medicines for blood pressure like felodipine, nisoldipine, eplerenone

• certain medicines for cancer like irinotecan, ibrutinib

• certain medicines for cholesterol like cerivastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, lomitapide

• certain medicines for irregular heart rate like disopyramide, dofetilide, dronedarone, quinidine

• cisapride

• colchicine

• conivaptan

• ergot alkaloids like dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine

• lurasidone

• methadone

• naloxegol

• nevirapine

• other medicines that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal heart rhythm)

• pimozide

• ranolazine

• red yeast rice

• sirolimus

• thioridazine

• tolvaptan

• ziprasidone

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• alcohol or any product that contains alcohol

• aliskiren

• amlodipine

• antacids

• antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS

• aprepitant

• atorvastatin

• bosentan

• buprenorphine

• certain medicine for bladder problems like fesoterodine, solifenacin, tolterodine

• certain medicines for cancer like bortezomib, busulfan, dasatinib, docetaxel, erlotinib, imatinib, ixabepilone, lapatinib, nilotinib, paclitaxel, trimetrexate, vinca alkaloids

• certain medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances like aripiprazole, buspirone, haloperidol, quetiapine, risperidone

• certain medicines for erectile dysfunction like vardenafil, sildenafil, tadalafil

• certain medicines for pain like alfentanil, fentanyl, oxycodone, sufentanil

• certain medicines for stomach problems like cimetidine, famotidine, omeprazole, lansoprazole

• certain medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like dabigatran, rivaroxaban, warfarin

• certain medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenytoin

• certain medicines for tuberculosis like isoniazid, INH, rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine

• cilostazol

• cinacalcet

• cyclosporine

• digoxin

• eletriptan

• isradipine

• nadolol

• nifedipine

• other medicines for fungal infections

• praziquantel

• ramelteon

• repaglinide

• salmeterol

• saxagliptin

• steroid medicines like budesonide, ciclesonide, dexamethasone, methylprednisolone

• tacrolimus

• tamsulosin

• telithromycin

• verapamil

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 25 degrees C (59 and 77 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• adrenal problems

• an alcohol abuse problem

• history of irregular heartbeat

• low stomach acid production

• liver disease

• an unusual or allergic reaction to ketoconazole, itraconazole, miconazole, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for check ups. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve. Some fungal infections can take many weeks or months of treatment to cure.

Avoid medicines for your stomach like antacids and acid blockers for at least two hours after taking this medicine.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

Avoid alcohol while you are taking this medicine. Alcohol can increase the risk of liver damage.

If you are going to have surgery, let your doctor know that you have been taking this medicine.