Itraconazole

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Sep 18, 2023

Directions


How To Use Itraconazole

Itraconazole comes in the form of an oral capsule and liquid. Swallow the capsules whole. Do not cut, crush, or chew them. Measure liquid medicine carefully using a medicine dose-measuring device (cup or syringe) to avoid medication errors.

If you are taking the capsules to treat fungal infections in the lungs, you should take the medicine with a full meal 1-2 times a day for 3 months as prescribed. For serious lung infections, your doctor may prescribe itraconazole 3 times a day for 3 days, followed by 1-2 times a day for 3 months. 

If you are taking itraconazole to treat fungal infections of the toenails (with or without fingernail infection), you should take the capsules once a day at the prescribed dose with a full meal for 12 weeks. If you are taking itraconazole for a fingernail fungal infection, you should take the prescribed dose twice a day with a full meal for 1 week, followed by 3 weeks of no treatment, and then another round of treatment for one week.

Only the oral solution of itraconazole is used to treat oropharyngeal or esophageal Candida infections. You should take the prescribed dose on an empty stomach once or twice daily for 1-4 weeks, as recommended by your doctor. Swish the itraconazole oral solution in your mouth for a few seconds before swallowing it.

Read the prescription label and dosing instructions carefully and take itraconazole exactly as prescribed. Do not increase or decrease the dose or change the dosing frequency or duration of treatment without your doctor’s approval.

Take only the formulation of itraconazole prescribed to you. Do not substitute different itraconazole products (capsules or oral solution), as they are absorbed differently and are used to treat different types of fungal infections. 

Your doctor may ask you to take your itraconazole capsules with a cola drink or citrus juice if you have certain medical conditions or take a stomach acid reducer medicine. Follow these dosing directions carefully.

Continue treatment with itraconazole even if you don’t have any symptoms and feel well. Stopping treatment too soon may result in incomplete treatment and the return of your fungal infection after some time. Note that you may not notice an improvement in your nail fungus for several months after finishing itraconazole treatment. This is because it takes time for a new, healthy nail to grow.

Missed dose: If you forget a dose of itraconazole, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose according to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose or extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Storage: Store itraconazole at room temperature (between 15-30° C or 59-86° F) away from moisture, heat, and direct light in its original container, tightly closed. Do not store medications in the bathroom, where they can be exposed to moisture and heat. Keep all medications safely out of reach of children and pets.

Unused medicine: Unused or expired itraconazole should be disposed of in a way that children, other people, and pets cannot get to them. Do not throw itraconazole in the trash or flush it down the toilet. The best way to dispose of expired or unneeded itraconazole is through your local waste disposal company or a drug take-back program. Learn more about proper medication disposal

NOTEThis medication guide is a summary and may not contain all possible drug information on itraconazole. The information contained here may not be up-to-date. This sheet is for information purposes only. If you have questions about itraconazole, talk to your healthcare professionals for medical advice.


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