Itraconazole can cause congestive heart failure (condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood through the body). Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure; a heart attack; an irregular heartbeat; any other type of heart disease; lung, liver, or kidney disease; or any other serious health problem. If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop taking itraconazole and call your doctor immediately: shortness of breath; coughing up white or pink phlegm; weakness; excessive tiredness; fast heartbeat; swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs; and sudden weight gain.
Do not take cisapride (Propulsid), dofetilide (Tikosyn), pimozide (Orap), or quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex, others), while taking itraconazole. Taking these medications with itraconazole can cause serious irregular heartbeat.
Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking itraconazole.
Itraconazole capsules are used to treat fungal infections that begin in the lungs and can spread through the body. Itraconazole capsules are also used to treat fungal infections of the fingernails and/or toenails. Itraconazole oral solution is used to treat yeast infections of the mouth and throat and suspected fungal infections in patients with fever and certain other signs of infection. Itraconazole is in a class of antifungals called triazoles. It works by slowing the growth of fungi that cause infection.
Itraconazole comes as a capsule and a solution (liquid) to take by mouth. Itraconazole capsules are usually taken with a full meal one to three times a day for at least 3 months. When itraconazole capsules are used to treat fungal infections of the fingernails, they are usually taken twice a day for one week, not taken at all for three weeks, and then taken twice a day for an additional week. Itraconazole solution is usually taken on an empty stomach once or twice a day for 1 to 4 weeks or longer. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take itraconazole exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor may tell you to take itraconazole capsules with a cola soft drink if you have certain medical conditions or are taking any of the following medications: cimetidine (Tagamet); famotidine (Pepcid); nizatidine (Axid); proton-pump inhibitors such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), and rabeprazole (AcipHex); or ranitidine (Zantac). Follow these directions carefully.
To take itraconazole oral solution for fungal infections of the mouth or throat, swish 10 milliliters (about 2 teaspoons) of the solution in your mouth for a few seconds and swallow. Repeat if necessary until you have taken your entire dose.
Itraconazole capsules and oral solution are absorbed into the body in different ways and work to treat different conditions. Do not substitute the capsules for the liquid or the liquid for the capsules. Be sure that your pharmacist gives you the form of itraconazole that your doctor prescribed.
Your doctor may tell you to take higher doses of itraconazole or to take itraconazole more often at the beginning of your treatment. Follow these directions carefully.
If you are taking itraconazole to treat a nail infection, your nails will probably not look healthier until new nails grow. It can take up to 6 months to grow a new fingernail and up to 12 months to grow a new toenail, so you should not expect to see improvement during your treatment or for several months afterward. Continue to take itraconazole even if you do not see any improvement.
Continue to take itraconazole until your doctor tells you to stop even if you feel well. Do not stop taking itraconazole without talking to your doctor. If you stop taking itraconazole too soon, your infection may come back after a short time.
Itraconazole is also sometimes used to treat other types of fungal infections and to prevent fungal infections in people who have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Talk to your doctor about drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medication.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
diarrhea or loose stools
constipation
gas
stomach pain
heartburn
sore or bleeding gums
sores in or around the mouth
headache
dizziness
sweating
muscle pain
decreased sexual desire or ability
nervousness
depression
runny nose and other cold symptoms
unusual dreams
excessive tiredness
loss of appetite
nausea
vomiting
yellowing of the skin or eyes
dark urine
pale stools
tingling or numbness of the hands or feet
fever, chills, or other signs of infection
frequent or painful urination
shaking hands that you cannot control
rash
hives
itching
difficulty breathing or swallowing
One of the ingredients in itraconazole oral solution caused cancer in some types of laboratory animals. It is not known whether people who take itraconazole solution have an increased risk of developing cancer. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking itraconazole solution.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to itraconazole.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the itraconazole, call your doctor.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Last Reviewed - 09/01/2010
AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2012. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.