Here is the complete information for Itraconazole Capsule 200 mg:
💊 Itraconazole Capsule 200 mg
🧪 Generic Name:
Itraconazole
📦 Strength & Form:
- Capsule: 200 mg
- Route: Oral (usually to be taken after food for best absorption)
🩺 Indications / Uses:
Itraconazole 200 mg is used in moderate to severe or systemic fungal infections, including:
- Systemic mycoses: Histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, aspergillosis (chronic)
- Sporotrichosis
- Onychomycosis (fungal nail infection)
- Candidiasis (oral, esophageal, or vaginal)
- Tinea corporis, cruris, pedis (ringworm, jock itch, athlete’s foot)
- Fungal prophylaxis in immunocompromised patients (e.g., transplant recipients)
⚖️ Dosage Guidelines:
Take after full meals. Avoid taking with antacids, H2 blockers, or PPIs around the same time.
- Systemic fungal infections:
- 200–400 mg/day in 1–2 divided doses
- Duration: Depends on infection (weeks to months)
- Onychomycosis (Pulse therapy):
- 200 mg twice daily for 1 week/month
- Repeat after 3 weeks gap × 2–3 pulses (fingernails) or 3–4 pulses (toenails)
- Dermatophytosis:
- 200 mg once daily for 7–14 days (skin infection)
⚠️ Precautions:
- Do not use in congestive heart failure (CHF) – black box warning
- Monitor liver function (especially in long-term use)
- Avoid concurrent use with CYP3A4 substrates prone to QT prolongation
- Avoid in pregnancy, especially first trimester
- Use with caution in renal/hepatic impairment
🚫 Contraindications:
- Hypersensitivity to itraconazole or azole antifungals
- Concurrent use of:
- Cisapride
- Pimozide
- Quinidine
- Certain statins (lovastatin, simvastatin)
- Pregnancy (unless life-threatening infection)
💥 Side Effects:
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Headache, dizziness
- Skin rash or pruritus
- Liver enzyme elevation, hepatitis
- Rare: Edema, CHF exacerbation
- Menstrual irregularity (long-term use)
📌 Special Notes:
- Itraconazole solution (not capsule) has better bioavailability but is taken on an empty stomach
- Capsule absorption is acid-dependent – avoid PPIs/antacids close to dosing
- Pulse therapy is often preferred for onychomycosis
- Available in 100 mg and 200 mg capsules