Ketoconazole Topical: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD (2024)

FAQs

What drugs interact with ketoconazole cream? ›

Tell your doctor if you have the following symptoms while using the ketoconazole 2% shampoo: hair discoloration, abnormal hair texture, removal of the curl from permanently waved hair, hair loss, itching, burning sensation of the skin, or blistering, peeling, or redness of the skin.

you should know that drinking alcoholic beverages (including wine, beer, and medications that contain alcohol such as cough syrup) while taking ketoconazole increases the risk that you will develop liver damage and may cause unpleasant symptoms such as flushing, rash, nausea, headache, and swelling of the hands, feet, ...

Large areas of burned or damaged skin. An unusual or allergic reaction to ketoconazole, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives. Pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Breast-feeding.

Drugs affecting the absorption of ketoconazole

Reduced plasma concentrations of ketoconazole were reported when NIZORAL® Tablets were administered with antacids, antimuscarinics, histamine H2-blockers, proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, lansoprazole) and sucralfate.

Only tiny amounts of ketoconazole are absorbed into your body when you use it as a cream or shampoo. You can usually use ketoconazole skin treatments while taking most medicines.

Liver problems (hepatotoxicity): Liver failure, requiring liver transplantation has occurred with the use of oral ketoconazole. Taking this drug increases your risk for liver damage, and your doctor must closely monitor your liver function.

Ketoconazole cream can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

Ketoconazole has rarely caused very serious (possibly fatal) liver problems. Get medical help right away if you develop symptoms of liver problems, including nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin, loss of appetite, or light colored stools.

Conclusion: Due to its hepatotoxic side effects, oral ketoconazole was withdrawn from the European and Australian markets in 2013. The United States imposed strict relabeling requirements and restrictions for prescription, with Canada issuing a risk communication echoing these concerns.

Why is ketoconazole no longer used? ›

Because of its potential for severe adverse reactions including hepatotoxicity, ketoconazole has been withdrawn in many countries and has strict labeling in the United States recommending that it be used only when other effective antifungal agents are not available or tolerated.

Ketoconazole distributes readily into blood, urine, saliva, joint fluid, sebum, and cerumen; recent data indicate it may penetrate into cerebrospinal fluid as well. Elimination is biphasic, with a half-life of two hours during the first 10 hours following a dose, and a half-life of eight hours thereafter.

Use of this medication carries the risk of serious liver damage, adrenal gland problems, and harmful interactions with other medicines that outweigh its benefit in treating these conditions, which are not approved uses of the drug.

You should not use ketoconazole topical if you are allergic to ketoconazole. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have: asthma or a sulfite allergy; an allergic reaction to an antifungal medicine, such as clotrimazole, econazole, or miconazole.

Hydrocortisone topical has an average rating of 6.8 out of 10 from a total of 59 ratings on Drugs.com. 56% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 24% reported a negative effect. Ketoconazole topical has an average rating of 7.4 out of 10 from a total of 43 ratings on Drugs.com.

Co-administration of the following drugs with ketoconazole is contraindicated: dofetilide, quinidine, pimozide, lurasidone, cisapride, methadone, disopyramide, dronedarone, ranolazine.

Because of its potential for severe adverse reactions including hepatotoxicity, ketoconazole has been withdrawn in many countries and has strict labeling in the United States recommending that it be used only when other effective antifungal agents are not available or tolerated.

Our findings show that long-term treatment with high doses of ketoconazole may induce enzyme blockade leading to mineralocorticoid-related hypertension.