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Ketoconazole (oral)

  • Take ketoconazole (oral) with food.
  • Keep your regular doctor's appointments.
  • Ketoconazole (oral) can affect the way other medicines work so check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other medicines.
  • Important: If you develop jaundice, severe pain in the abdomen, fever, or become unusually tired, then contact your doctor straight away.

About ketoconazole (oral)

Type of medicine Antifungal
Used for Fungal infections that can't be treated with other antifungal medicines
Also called Nizoral®
Available as Tablets

Ketoconazole (oral) is used to treat a variety of fungal infections which have not cleared up with other treatments, particularly those of the mouth, hair, skin and throat. It works by killing the fungus or yeast causing the infection.

Before taking ketoconazole (oral)

Before taking ketoconazole (oral) make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
  • If you have, or have had, liver problems.
  • If you have Addison's disease (a disorder of the adrenal gland).
  • If you are under stress.
  • If you have porphyria (a rare blood disorder).
  • If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.
  • If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.

How to take ketoconazole (oral)

  • Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet.
  • Take your medication exactly as directed by your doctor.
  • Swallow your dose with a small glass of water at a meal time.
  • Try to take ketoconazole (oral) at the same time each day to avoid missing any doses.
  • If you forget to take a day's dose, do not take two doses on the next day to make up. If in doubt, speak to your pharmacist or doctor.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • Keep your regular doctor's appointment so your progress can be monitored. You will need to have blood tests if you are taking ketoconazole (oral) for more than two weeks.
  • If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take. This is important because ketoconazole (oral) can affect the way many other medicines work.
  • Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking ketoconazole (oral). Together they may cause headaches, skin rashes and sickness.
  • Do not take indigestion remedies at the same time as ketoconazole (oral). Indigestion remedies should be taken at least one hour before or two hours after the ketoconazole (oral).
  • Complete the prescribed course otherwise your infection may come back.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.

Can ketoconazole (oral) cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine What can I do if I experience this
Feeling or being sick Eat little and often. Stick to simple foods such as dry toast
Dizziness, drowsiness Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert
Stomach ache, headache, itchy skin rash, and diarrhoea Speak with your doctor if troublesome

Important: If you experience jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), dark urine, pale stools, pain in the abdomen, or if you become unusually tired with a high temperature, speak with your doctor immediately or go to your local accident and emergency department without delay.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store ketoconazole (oral)

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Take the container with you, even if it is empty.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

References

  • British National Formulary; 54th Edition (September 2007) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF).
  • Manufacturer's PIL, Nizoral®, Janssen-Cilag Limited, electronic Medicines Compendium. Approved January 2008, accessed 6 March 2008.
Comprehensive patient resources are available at www.patient.co.uk
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dils3233		 Last Updated:
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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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