Generic name: Itraconazole

Why is this medication prescribed?
Itraconazole capsules are used to treat fungal infections of the lungs, blood, and toenails. Itraconazole oral solution is used to treat fungal infections of the mouth and throat and suspected fungal infections in patients with fever and signs of infection.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used?
Itraconazole comes as a capsule and an oral solution to take by mouth. Itraconazole capsules are usually taken with a full meal one to three times a day for at least 3 months. Itraconazole solution is usually taken on an empty stomach Ifonce 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.

If you have achlorhydria (stomach does not produce acid), take itraconazole capsules with a cola beverage.

To take itraconazole oral solution for fungal infections of the mouth or throat, take 10 mL of solution at a time, swish in the mouth for a few seconds and swallow.

Continue to take itraconazole even if you feel well. Do not stop taking itraconazole without talking to your doctor.

What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking itraconazole,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to itraconazole or any other drugs.
• in addition to the drugs listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, also tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially alfentanil (Alfenta), alprazolam (Xanax), anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), buspirone (BuSpar), busulfan (Myleran), calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia) and nicardipine (Cardene), cholesterol-lowering medications, cisapride (Propulsid), clarithromycin (Biaxin), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), diazepam (Valium), docetaxel (Taxotere), erythromycin (E.E.S., Erythrocin, E-Mycin), heart medications, HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan) and ritonavir (Norvir), isoniazid (INH), medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Tegretol) and phenytoin (Dilantin), medications for stomach problems such as cimetidine (Tagamet) or antacids (Mylanta), methylprednisolone (Medrol), midazolam (Versed), nevirapine (Viramune), oral contraceptives, oral medicine for diabetes, quinidine, rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf), triazolam (Halcion), trimetrexate (Neutrexin), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Verelan), vinblastine (Velban), vincristine (Oncovin), vinorelbine (Navelbine), and vitamins.
• in addition to the condition listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease, achlorhydria (stomach does not produce acid), or a history of alcohol abuse.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking itraconazole, call your doctor.
• tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
• itraconazole capsules and itraconazole oral solution should not be interchanged.

What should I do if I forget a dose?
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.

What side effects can this medication cause?
Although side effects from itraconazole are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• upset stomach
• vomiting
• diarrhea or loose stools
• headache
• dizziness
• loss of appetite

If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

• rash
• itching
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• dark urine
• pale stools

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
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 emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison controlcenter at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsedor is not breathing, call local emergency services at911.

What other information should I know?
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.