Here is the complete and easy-to-understand overview of:
💊 Itraconazole Capsule 100 mg
🌿 Nature / Drug Class:
- Itraconazole is a triazole antifungal medication
- Works by inhibiting fungal cell membrane synthesis (ergosterol production)
- Broad-spectrum activity against yeasts, molds, and dermatophytes
🎯 Purpose / Indications:
Used to treat various fungal infections, including:
- Dermatophytosis (skin, hair, nails – like ringworm, athlete’s foot)
- Onychomycosis (fungal nail infections)
- Candidiasis (oral, vaginal, esophageal)
- Aspergillosis (lungs, especially in immunocompromised people)
- Histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, sporotrichosis
- Seborrheic dermatitis and tinea versicolor
✅ Advantages:
- Effective in deep and superficial fungal infections
- Oral capsule – easy to take
- Long-lasting effect – remains in skin and nails for weeks after stopping
- Used in pulse therapy for nail infections (less side effects)
📦 Common Packaging:
- 100 mg hard gelatin capsules
- Usually packed in strips of 4, 7, or 10 capsules
- Also available in liquid suspension for some cases
💊 Dosage Examples (Adults):
| Condition | Typical Dose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Skin infections | 100 mg once or twice daily | 1–4 weeks |
| Nail infections (pulse) | 200 mg twice daily for 1 week/month | 2–3 months total |
| Vaginal candidiasis | 200 mg twice daily | 1 day only |
| Systemic fungal infection | 200–400 mg daily | As prescribed |
Always take with food to improve absorption
⚠️ Precautions / Monitoring:
- Liver function tests (LFTs) – monitor during long use
- Use with caution in heart failure (risk of worsening it)
- Drug interactions:
- Avoid with antacids (reduce absorption)
- Can interact with statins, anti-TB, seizure drugs
- Not preferred in pregnancy unless essential
- Avoid alcohol during treatment
❌ Contraindications:
- Congestive heart failure (CHF)
- Severe liver disease
- Known allergy to itraconazole or other azoles
- Use caution in patients with kidney impairment if using long-term
❗ Possible Side Effects:
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
- Headache, dizziness
- Liver enzyme elevation
- Skin rash or itching
- Rare: heart rhythm problems, liver damage
🧊 Storage:
- Store at room temperature (below 25–30°C)
- Keep dry, away from direct sunlight
📝 Patient Advice:
- Take with a full meal – do not take on empty stomach
- Do not skip doses or stop early
- Inform doctor if you have liver, heart, or kidney problems
- Inform about all other medicines you are taking