Antifungal agents can be purchased in various forms. They are sold in the form of tablets, suppositories, aerosol, shampoo, etc. However, experts argue that the most effective drug for the fungus is a local remedy in the form of a gel, ointment or cream. Such medications act directly on the lesion, contributing to the speedy recovery of the patient.
Today we will tell you about such an antifungal drug as Ketoconazole (ointment). The use of this tool (method), its dosage, analogues and photos will be presented in this article.
Composition and packaging of the external preparation
What components are included in such an antifungal agent as Ketoconazole? The ointment, the instruction for which is enclosed in a cardboard box, contains ketoconazole and various auxiliary ingredients.
This drug is sold in plastic tubes and packs of thick paper, respectively.
The principle of action of the drug
What is the external preparation "Ketoconazole"? Ointment, the analogues of which are listed below, is an antifungal agent. It has a wide spectrum of action, slows down the synthesis of phospholipids, ergosterol and triglycerides, which ultimately leads to a mycostatic effect and a violation of the permeability of cell walls.
This medication is able to exert fungistatic and fungicidal activity against yeast, dermatophytes, higher and dimorphic fungi. Aspergillus ssp., Sporothrix schenckii, Mucor spp. Are less sensitive to the action of this medication. and some Dermatiaceae, as well as other ficomycetes, except Entomophthorales.
What other properties does Ketoconazole (ointment) have? Reviews of experienced specialists say that it is able to inhibit the biological synthesis of ergosterol fungi. As a result of this, the agent in question changes the composition of other lipid elements in their membranes. It should be noted that fungal meningitis is not treated with oral forms of this drug.
Indications for use of antifungal cream
For what diseases is the patient prescribed Ketoconazole ointment? This tool effectively treats foot fungus, as well as fungal diseases of other parts of the body, yeast on the skin, inguinal epidermophytosis and pityriasis versicolor. In addition, this drug is actively used for maintenance treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.
In addition to ointment, under the trade name "Ketoconazole" in pharmacies you can also find drugs in the form of tablets, suppositories, and even shampoo. According to the instructions, such funds are prescribed for:
- systemic and superficial mycoses:
- mycosis of the scalp;
- dermatomycosis (i.e. with skin fungal diseases) caused by blastomycetes;
- onychomycosis (that is, with fungal nail disease), which were caused by blastomycetes (the so-called parasitic fungi, which belong to the class of imperfect fungi);
- blastomycetosis (that is, with a human disease that was caused by parasitic fungi) of the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract, as well as the genitourinary organs;
- mycosis of internal organs;
- vaginal mycosis.
As a prophylactic, such a drug can be used to prevent fungal infections with reduced immunological resistance of the body (reducing the person's resistance to pathogenic agents).
Contraindications to the use of the drug
Ketoconazole ointment is not prescribed to the patient in the presence of hypersensitivity to ketoconazole, as well as propylene glycol or other components of the drug. In addition, this drug is not recommended for use during pregnancy, impaired liver and kidney function and breastfeeding.
The medication in the form of tablets should not be prescribed simultaneously with antacids that reduce the acidity of the stomach, anticholinergics, "Cimetidine" and its analogues.
Using the ointment "Ketoconazole", as well as other forms of this medicine, it is necessary to control liver function and blood picture. Particular care must be taken when the pituitary gland and adrenal cortex are disturbed.
The drug "Ketoconazole" (ointment): instructions for use
The method of application of this tool is standard. Antifungal cream with a thin and even layer is applied to dry and clean skin.
Before using this product directly, carefully prepare the affected skin surface. It is washed thoroughly with soap and then completely dried.
Apply Ketoconazole ointment once a day. It is advisable to carry out medical procedures in the evening.
To achieve the best therapeutic result, the cream needs to provide good absorption. For this, after applying it for some time, don’t wear shoes or clothing.
If the affected area is located on the arm, then for some period you should refrain from doing manual work.
In the event that the fungal infection is severe or if this area is constantly in contact with shoes or clothes, then the medicinal cream can be applied twice a day. It should be noted that an overdose of this agent is unlikely.
Duration of use
How long should the ketoconazole preparation (ointment) be used? The instruction reports that the duration of the course of treatment with this medicine depends on the type of disease:
- fungus on the foot - 4-6 weeks;
- fungus on other parts of the body - about 3-4 weeks;
- yeast on the skin - about 2-3 weeks;
- inguinal epidermophytia - about 2-4 weeks;
- pityriasis versicolor - about 2-3 weeks;
- seborrheic dermatitis - 2-4 weeks;
- maintenance treatment for seborrheic dermatitis - apply about 1-2 times a week.
In the event that the symptoms of a fungal disease do not go away, you should consult a doctor.
If the fungus affected the nail plates, then theoretically compresses can be done to treat them (until a healthy nail grows). However, doctors recommend using special drugs for this.
It should also be remembered that the disappearance of signs does not mean a complete cure for the disease. In this regard, experts advise to comply with all periods of therapy and continue to use the ointment for a few days after the elimination of all symptoms.
Side effects
Side effects on the background of the use of the drug in question develop extremely rarely. As a rule, this drug causes the development of:
- contact dermatitis;
- erythema;
- local edema;
- itching and burning.
No special action is required to eliminate such phenomena. They pass on their own after the cancellation of the antifungal agent.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Is it possible to use Ketoconazole during pregnancy? The ointment, the photo of which is presented in this article, is intended for external application, is not absorbed into the general bloodstream, and therefore does not have a systemic effect. In this regard, this medication can be prescribed to pregnant women, but only according to indications and in case of emergency.
When breast-feeding a baby, the possible ingestion of the cream in the child’s mouth should be completely excluded.
Terms and conditions of storage
It is advisable to store the medication in a dry, dark place inaccessible to children, where the air temperature fluctuates between 10-20 degrees.
Ointment is forbidden to freeze. If this happens, then using it is not recommended.
The shelf life of this product is three years.
Similar drugs and cost
The price of the drug "Ketoconazole" in the form of an ointment is about 160 rubles.
If this medication is contraindicated for you, then it can be replaced with analogues. Means with such an active substance as ketoconazole include the following: Perhotal ointment, Sebozol ointment, Mycozoral ointment and Nizoral cream.
Reviews about the local medication
According to most patients, the drug "Ketoconazole" quite effectively copes with the task. Its active substance contributes to the rapid elimination of fungal diseases.
If it seems to the patient that such a medication does not treat skin lesions well enough, doctors recommend using it in combination therapy with oral agents of a similar effect.
It should also be noted that the advantages of this drug are often attributed to its quite reasonable cost, availability and lack of side effects.