Class: Azoles
VA Class: AM700
CAS Number: 65277-42-1
Brands: Nizoral
Warning
Use only when other effective antifungals not available or not tolerated and potential benefits of oral ketoconazole outweigh potential risks.
Serious hepatotoxicity has occurred in patients receiving oral ketoconazole, including cases that were fatal or required liver transplantation. Inform patients of the risk and monitor closely. (See Hepatotoxicity under Cautions.)
Concomitant use with certain drugs (cisapride, dofetilide, pimozide, quinidine) contraindicated because increased plasma concentrations of these drugs may occur and can lead to QT interval prolongation, sometimes resulting in life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias such as torsades de pointes. (See Interactions.)
Introduction
Antifungal; azole (imidazole derivative).
Uses for Ketoconazole (Systemic)
Blastomycosis
Alternative for treatment of blastomycosis caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis. Use only if infection is serious or life-threatening, other effective antifungals not available or not tolerated, and potential benefits of oral ketoconazole outweigh potential risks.
Drugs of choice are IV amphotericin B or oral itraconazole; oral fluconazole is an alternative. Ketoconazole has been used as an alternative, but may be less effective.
Do not use for infections that involve the CNS, including cerebral blastomycosis; ketoconazole CSF concentrations are unpredictable and may be negligible following oral administration, and treatment failures or relapses reported.
Consult current IDSA clinical practice guidelines available at [Web] for additional information on management of blastomycosis.
Chromomycosis
Alternative for treatment of chromomycosis (chromoblastomycosis) caused by...
