To combat the pathogens of fungal infections, many drugs are produced today. And before each doctor there is a difficult choice of the most optimal medicine in this or that case.
Ketoconazole tablets or other preparations based on it are antifungal agents of a wide spectrum of action. They help to treat systemic mycoses, that is, diseases caused by fungi, as well as superficial fungal infections - mycoses, seborrhea.
Ketoconazole has a harmful effect on yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida, dermatophytes, mold fungi, various pathogens of systemic mycoses and even staphylococci and streptococci.
When are Ketoconazole tablets prescribed?
Indications for the use of ketoconazole are:
- fungal infections of the digestive tract;
- fungal infections of the urino-genital organs, including vaginal candidiasis, better known as thrush, as well as chronic vaginal candidiasis;
- mycosis of nails, skin, hair, paronychia, folliculitis;
- seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff);
- fungal septicemia;
- mycosis eye;
- systemic mycoses - candidiasis, blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, etc .;
- prevention of fungal infections in people with immunodeficiency and an increased risk of fungal lesions.
When taken orally, preparations in tablets with ketoconazole provide an effective treatment for surface and systemic mycoses. The action of this substance is associated with the destruction of the process of biosynthesis of ergosterol phospholipids and triglycerides, which are involved in the formation of the fungal cell membrane. Ultimately, the growth and multiplication of these harmful cells ceases and the disease recedes.
When taken orally, the preparation is perfectly absorbed, that is, absorbed into the blood, widely distributed in the tissues, a small part penetrates into the cerebrospinal fluid. After absorption in the digestive tract, the active substance is metabolized in the liver, forming a large number of inactive metabolites. The drug is excreted in the urine (13%), excreted with bile and excreted with feces (57%).
Usually 1-2 tablets are taken a day with food for 2-8 weeks, depending on the disease and body weight. The drug can be administered to children over 12 years of age.
Contraindications and side effects from taking Ketoconazole
Ketoconazole tablets from seborrheic dermatitis and other diseases of fungal etymology are contraindicated in pregnant, nursing, children under 12 years of age, people with hypersensitivity to ketoconazole and with severe impairment of kidney and liver function.
The side effects of taking tablets are as follows:
- nausea and vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- sleep disorder;
- dizziness, headache;
- hair loss;
- paresthesia;
- exanthema;
- decreased sexual desire;
- gynecomastia;
- urticaria, skin rash;
- photophobia;
- fever.
Oral administration of preparations based on ketoconazole should be accompanied by regular medical supervision: blood tests, check of liver and kidney functions. Absolutely contraindicated in self-targeting and self-medication with these drugs. Treatment can be prescribed only by a doctor.
In the case of fungal meningitis, the use of ketoconazole is not advisable, since the substance does not penetrate well through the BBB (hemato-encephalic barrier).
Preparations based on this substance are hepatotoxic, so the method should only be used when the potential benefit covers the likely risk. Especially it concerns those patients that suffer from excessively high activity of hepatic enzymes or suffered toxic damage to the liver due to taking other drugs.
Preparations with ketoconazole in tablets
Here are the names of structural analogs of ketoconazole in tablets (according to the active ingredient):
- Mycosorrhal;
- Fungistab;
- Dermazol;
- Oronazole;
- Nizoral ;
- KetoconazoleAltapharm;
- Ketoconazole DS;
- Mikanisal;
- Livarol;
- Mikoket;
- Fungin.