.ae0904af.png&w=1080&q=75)
Medicine Highlights
| Uses | 1. To treat fungal infection in the food pipe (esophageal candidiasis) 2. To treat lung infection caused by fungus (aspergillosis) 3. To treat serious body infections caused by fungus (blastomycosis and histoplasmosis) 4. To treat fungal infection of the fingernails 5. To treat fungal infection of the toenails |
| Common Side Effects | 1. Decreased urine output 2. Dry mouth 3. Fever 4. Increased thirst 5. Irregular heartbeat 6. Loss of appetite 7. Mood changes 8. Muscle pain or cramps 9. Nausea 10. Numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips 11. Seizures 12. Trouble breathing 13. Unusual tiredness or weakness 14. Vomiting |
| Additional Information | Itraconazole can make you feel dizzy or sleepy. So, avoid driving as it can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries. |
| Storage | 1- The medicine should be stored at room temperature 2- Keep away from sunlight and moisture 3- Keep away from the reach of children |
| How to Take This Medicine | Swallow this medicine with water |
Itraconazole Summary
Itraconazole is an antifungal medication. It kills and stops the growth of fungi by destroying its cell membrane, that is by working on inhibiting the synthesis of ergosterol, which is a crucial compound in the fungal cell membrane, thereby treating your skin infection. Side effects of this medication usually include decreased urine output, dry mouth, fever, increased thirst, irregular heartbeat, loss of appetite, mood changes, and muscle pain or cramps. Alcohol, smoking and grapefruits should be avoided with itraconazole, taking more than 400 mg of itraconazole per day, as it may cause severe overdosing effects like extreme nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain.
Itraconazole Uses
Itraconazole 200 mg is an oral antifungal medicine belonging to the triazole class of drugs, used to treat fungal infections in various parts of the body including:
- Food pipe (esophageal candidiasis)
- Lung
- Fingernails
- Toenails
Itraconazole side effects
More Common
- Decreased urine output
- Dry mouth
- Fever
- Increased thirst
- Irregular heartbeat
- Loss of appetite
- Mood changes
- Muscle pain or cramps
- Nausea
- Numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
- Seizures
- Trouble breathing
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Vomiting
Less Common
- Blurred vision
- Chest pain or tightness
- Chills
- Clay-colored stools
- Cloudy urine
- Cold sweats
- Confusion
- Cough
- Dark urine
- Decrease in urine-concentrating ability
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- Drowsiness
- Feeling unusually cold
- Headache
- Itching, skin rash
- Light-colored stools
- Mental changes
How Itraconazole works
Itraconazole works by blocking a fungal enzyme called cytochrome P450 14α-demethylase, which is responsible for making ergosterol, an essential part of the fungal cell membrane. By stopping the formation of ergosterol, it damages the cell membrane, which leads to the death of the fungus and helps treat the infection.
Directions for use
- If you forget to take the medicine, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s almost time for the next one, then just skip it.
- Itraconazole should be taken after meals or as advised by your doctor.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Swallow itraconazole with a glass of water. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Safety Measures and Warning
📌 Allergies or Hypersensitivity
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines.
📌 Pregnancy
Itraconazole can harm a baby’s growth if taken during pregnancy, especially affecting the brain and causing tremors, developmental issues, and respiratory depression. Doctors only use it if no safer medicine works
📌 Kidney Disease and Liver Disease
If you have any history of kidney or liver disease tell your doctor as this medicine may worsen your kidney and liver’s condition.
📌 Congestive Heart Failure
If you have a history of heart failure, this medicine should not be used to treat fungal infections of the fingernails or toenails, as it may worsen your heart condition.
📌 Organ Transplant
After organ transplant, you might take medicines which will suppress the release of stomach’s acid by which your stomach might not absorb itraconazole properly. Hence it is advised to avoid itraconazole in such cases.
Itraconazole Interaction with Food Product
Itraconazole has an interaction with grapefruit Juice, so it is better to avoid it. Alcohol and smoking can simultaneously affect the drug’s action, so they may cause severe drowsiness and sedation.
Itraconazole Interaction with Other Medicines
Avoid taking itraconazole 100 mg with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:
Itraconazole Chemical Structure
IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name
(2R,4S)-rel-1-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-[(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy-4-[4-(4-[pentyloxy]phenyl)piperazin-1-yl]phenyl]butan-2-ol
Intake routine/cycle
📌 Daily Dose
Take itraconazole exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.
📌 Missed Dose
If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.
📌 Overdose
Don’t take more than 400 mg of itraconazole per day, as it may cause severe overdosing effects like extreme nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness or lightheadedness, fatigue or weakness, and skin rash. Consult a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
Storage
- Store the medicine at room temperature
- Keep away from sunlight and moisture
- Keep out of reach of children
FAQ’s
1. Can I take itraconazole 200 mg twice daily?
➡️ Itraconazole 200 mg is prescribed for onychomycosis (fungal nail infections), systemic fungal infections (like histoplasmosis, blastomycosis), oral or esophageal candidiasis (when severe or resistant to topical treatment) and aspergillosis (lung infection caused by fungus). Whereas it can be taken 2 times in the morning and evening.
2. What are itraconazole capsules bp 200 mg tablet use?
➡️ It is used for the following infections like onychomycosis (fungal nail infections), systemic fungal infections (like histoplasmosis, blastomycosis), oral or esophageal candidiasis (when severe or resistant to topical treatment), aspergillosis (lung infection caused by fungus).
3. What are itraconazole tablet side effects?
➡️ Itraconazole side effects generally include decreased urine output, dry mouth, fever, increased thirst, irregular heartbeat, loss of appetite, mood changes, muscle pain or cramps, nausea, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips, seizures.
Reference
- Itraconazole (oral route) [Internet]. Mayo Clinic. 2025 [cited 2025 Jul 14]. Available from
- https://www.facebook.com/Drugscom. Itraconazole Disease Interactions [Internet]. Drugs.com. 2025 [cited 2025 Jul 14]. Available from
- PubChem. Itraconazole [Internet]. Nih.gov. PubChem; 2025 [cited 2025 Jul 14]. Available from
- Kurn H, Wadhwa R. Itraconazole [Internet]. PubMed. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021. Available from
