Sporanox belongs to the family of medications called antifungals. It is used to treat certain types of fungal infections, both internally (inside the body) and externally (skin and nails): infections such as blastomycosis, which infects the lungs, bones, and skin, histoplasmosis, which affects the lungs, heart, and blood, and aspergillosis, which affects the lungs and kidneys and sometimes other various organs, are very serious conditions which require prompt and accurate treatment. It works by preventing the fungus from growing.
Directions
Take Sporanox exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The recommended adult dose of itraconazole ranges from 100 mg once daily after a full meal to 200 mg twice daily after meals. The length of treatment depends on the condition being treated. Itraconazole capsules should be taken right after a full meal. Grapefruit juice may reduce the effectiveness of itraconazole.
Precautions
Before taking Sporanox you should talk with your doctor if you have heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder, circulation problems, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other breathing disorder, liver or kidney disease, cystic fibrosis or Long QT syndrome, if you are taking quinidine, cisapride, midazolam, pimozide, ergonovine, ergotamine, dofetilide. They can cause serious or life threatening medical problems if you take them together with itraconazole.
Contraindications
Do not take Sporanox if you are allergic to itraconazole, to any of the ingredients of the medication, to other 'azoles' such as ketoconazole, have heart failure (including congestive heart failure), if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Possible side effect
Get emergency medical help if you have headache, itching, constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, stomach pain, drowsiness, unusual bleeding, skin rash, dark urine, fever, loss of appetite, hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, pale stools, unusual tiredness, sore throat, weakness, runny nose, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.
Drug interactions
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: seizure medication (primidone, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin), sedatives (diazepam, alprazolam), antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin), antidepressants (sertraline, nefazodone, paroxetine), disopyramide, cyclosporine, cancer medications, blood thinners (warfarin), HIV/AIDS medicines (delavirdine, saquinavir, ritonavir, indinavir, atazanavir), barbiturates (phenobarbital, mephobarbital, amobarbital), sirolimus, fentanyl, digoxin, heart or blood pressure medications (nifedipine, verapamil, amlodipine), antifungal medications (ketoconazole, voriconazole, clotrimazole). Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.
Missed dose
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Overdose
If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once.
Storage
Store the medicine at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from heat, light and moisture. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.
Note
The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.
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