The drug "Itraconazole" (tablets, ointment, cream, solution or capsules) is used to treat various fungal infections. Moreover, it is equally effective for the treatment of diseases localized in different parts of the body.
Drug substance
The drug itself and any analogue of Itracanozole belongs to the class of antifungal triazoles. This artificially synthesized drug prevents the synthesis of ergosterol, which is necessary for the normal functioning of fungi. The drug "Itraconazole" inhibits the development of dermagophytes, Candida yeast , mold fungi and other pathogens. Some strains of microorganisms are resistant to the action of this tool.
The drug "Itraconazole" is available in tablets, capsules, in the form of a solution (liquid), ointment. There is more than one analogue of Itraconazole on sale. Similar drugs are available in different dosage forms.
Any analogue of Itraconazole and, in fact, this drug itself is most often used for the treatment of fungal infections of the respiratory system, in particular the lungs. These drugs are also used to treat patients in whom the throat, oral cavity or esophagus are affected by fungi. Very often, this infection affects a person’s nails. In this case, use another dosage form of the drug "Itraconazole" - an ointment for external use, which effectively fights against fungal infection on the nails or skin. It is prescribed for psoriasis.
Indications for use
This drug and its analogues are used for the following diseases:
• dermatomycosis;
• candidiasis;
• sporotrichosis;
• multi-colored lichen;
• onychomycosis;
• blastomycosis;
• cryptococcosis;
• keratomycosis;
• paracoccidioidosis;
• systemic aspergillosis and candidiasis;
• histoplasmosis;
• tropical mycosis.
The duration of therapy may be adjusted depending on the clinical picture. Most often, this drug is taken 1 time per day. The most commonly used treatment regimens:
• pityriasis versicolor: 200 mg per week;
• dermatomycosis: during the week, 200 mg or 100 mg for 15 days;
• onychomycosis: 3 months at 200 mg or a week at 200 mg / 2 times a day;
• dermatophytosis of the hands and feet: a week of 200 mg or 100 mg for 1 month;
• candidiasis: within 15 days, 100 mg each;
• keratomycosis: within 3 weeks, 200 mg.
Methods of administration for pulmonary infections
For the treatment of fungal infections of the respiratory tract, itraconazole tablets or capsules are prescribed. Analogs are cheaper, but they can have a more remote action in time, so the disease is more difficult to defeat in the shortest possible time. Tablets or capsules are taken 1-2 times a day, during or immediately after a meal. It usually takes at least 3 months to treat a fungal infection of the lungs. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe the following course of therapy: 3 tablets per day for 3 days, and then 3 months, 1-2 tablets per day.
Taking the drug for nail infections
The drug "Itraconazole" - tablets that are prescribed for the treatment of fungal infections of the nails. For a complete cure, it is taken 1 time per day for 12 weeks. Itraconazole oral solution is more effective. It is taken for 1-4 weeks 1-2 times a day. At the same time, for faster absorption, the medicine is used on an empty stomach. Only the attending physician can choose the most optimal dosage regimen or prescribe an Itraconazole analogue, which will take into account the severity of the disease and the general condition of the patient. In especially neglected cases, another form of the Itraconazole preparation, ointment, is applied to the affected area 1-2 times a day to treat fungal infections of the nails.
Other uses of the drug
Any analogue of Itraconazole and this drug itself has been increasingly used in the complex therapy of various types of fungal infections in patients affected by HIV and AIDS in recent years. In this case, self-medication is unacceptable, since only the attending physician can correctly assess the patient’s health status and possible risks of taking Itraconazole.
special instructions
The drug "Itraconazole", analogues of this medicine should be taken in accordance with the instructions and recommendations of the attending physician. In smaller or larger doses, they may be ineffective or able to harm the health of the patient.
Itraconazole capsules, analogues cheap or expensive, are taken as follows: capsules and tablets are swallowed whole. However, they should not be chewed or crushed. With a decrease in the level of acidity in the stomach caused, for example, by cystic fibrosis, this should be reported to the attending physician.
In some cases, the regimen for this drug may be changed. Most often this happens when the patient takes the following drugs during therapy: Famotidine, Nizatidine, Esomeprazole, Cimetidine, Omeprazole, Ranitidine, Lansoprazole, Pantoprazole, Rabeprazole. "
Contraindications
In some cases, itraconazole is contraindicated for patients. Instructions for similar drugs often prohibit the use of such antifungal drugs for allergies to their components. That is why, when prescribing therapy using these drugs, the attending physician must know for sure whether the patient has an allergic reaction to the substances that make up their composition.
The medication should not be taken by pregnant and lactating women. To prevent a possible pregnancy during treatment, it is necessary to use effective contraceptives. This drug is prescribed with caution to elderly patients. Taking it in childhood is possible only if the benefit exceeds the potential risk. The drug is not recommended for patients with heart failure, ischemia, severe lung diseases, renal failure.
Itraconazole, analogues of the drug should not be taken in a double dose with a possible omission of the drug. It is best to forget about the missed dose and then follow the regimen. An overdose of this drug or its analogues should not be allowed, as this can lead to very serious health complications.
Interaction with other drugs
Before taking Itraconazole, the attending physician should be aware of what drugs the patient took before. This is especially true for the use of drugs such as Efavirenz, Everolimus, Sildenafil, Aliskiren, Rifabutin, Apixaban, Nevirapin, Dazatinib, Ibrutinib, Salmeterol, and Darifenacin ”,“ Nilotinib ”,“ Carbazepine ”,“ Sunitinib ”,“ Colchicine ”,“ Rivaroxaban ”,“ Phenobarbital ”,“ Tamsulosin ”,“ Isoniazid ”,“ Phenytoin ”,“ Vardenafil ”,“ Rifampicin ”,“ Nevirapin , "Temsirolimus."
In addition to the above drugs, before using Itraconazole, you should inform your doctor about taking the following drugs:
• anticoagulants;
• antibiotics;
• HIV protease inhibitors;
• vitamins;
• food additives (dietary supplements).
With the simultaneous use of Itraconazole and antacid drugs, the latter are used 1 hour before or a couple of hours after taking the antifungal medication.
Side effects
The drug "Itraconazole" sometimes causes dizziness and visual impairment in the form of a split image. When taking this medication, you can not drive a car and work with various equipment. The most commonly observed side effects when taking it include bloating, increased gas, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, the occurrence of an unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth; increased sweating, dizziness, headache, bleeding and soreness of the gums, muscle pain, decreased muscle tone, runny nose, fever, joint pain, depression, decreased sex drive, hair loss.
The following side effects are considered especially dangerous for the patient’s health: double vision, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, heart failure, hepatitis, involuntary urination, anaphylactic and allergic reactions, dark urine, tinnitus, hearing loss, loss of appetite, excessive fatigue , yellowing of the skin and eyes, numbness and tingling of soft tissues and skin, photophobia, skin rash, itching, hoarseness, pulmonary edema, menstrual irregularities, swelling in the face, throat, hands, ankles. If any of the above symptoms occurs, you should immediately inform your doctor.
How to choose an analogue of Itraconazole
Every year an increasing number of people are faced with the problem of fungal diseases. However, many patients decide that it is not necessary to purchase Itraconazole for their treatment. Analogs are cheaper, so they are often preferred. In fact, only the attending physician should decide on the choice of this drug or its analogues. In some particularly severe cases of complete recovery, the patient helps to achieve exclusively “Itraconazole”. Analogs are cheap, but not all of them are as effective as this drug.
What can replace Itraconazole? Ointment, analogues of this drug in other dosage forms are widely represented in pharmacies. Structural analogues include the following medications produced in the capsule feed: Irunin, Intramikol, Itrazol, Mikonyhol, Kanditral, Kanazol, Teknazol, Orungal, Rumikoz, Orungamine "," Orunit. "
The following drugs are analogues of Itraconazole in therapeutic action:
- capsules: Diflucan, Diflason, Itrazol, Orungal, Rumikoz, Flucostat, Fluconazole, Fungolon;
- tablets: Atifin, Binafin, Ketoconazole, Fungoterbin, Exifin, Nizoral;
- ointments, creams, gels: Akriderm, Lamisil Dermagel, Terbizil, Exifin, Mikomax, Mikozoral, Triderm, Fungoterbin, Ketoconazole, Kanizon, Lamel , “Candide”, “Amiklon”, “Zalain”, “Kanizon”, “Atifin”, “Clotrimazole”, “Lamisil”, “Ifenek”, “Lamel”, “Terbix”, “Imidil”;
- candles, vaginal tablets: "Zalain", "Candide", "Kanizon", "Mikogal", "Imidil".
Reviews
What is the opinion of people taking Itraconazole? Analogs, reviews of which are often negative, and this drug itself often does not bring the expected results from therapy. At the same time, the presence of a huge number of contraindications and side effects makes these medicines quite dangerous for the health of many patients. Moreover, the risk of unpleasant consequences from the use of Itraconazole and its analogues increases significantly if the instructions of the attending physician or self-medication are not followed.
Very often there are negative reviews about the drug "Itraconazole" (candles). Analogues of this drug are also often perceived by patients with caution. This is due to the fact that in some cases the therapy of fungal diseases with the help of suppositories must be supplemented with the intake of Itraconazole or its analogues inside.