Look Up > Drugs > Itraconazole
Itraconazole
Pronunciation
U.S. Brand Names
Generic Available
Pharmacological Index
Use
Pregnancy Risk Factor
Contraindications
Warnings/Precautions
Adverse Reactions
Overdosage/Toxicology
Drug Interactions
Stability
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics
Usual Dosage
Dietary Considerations
Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status
Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment
Dental Health: Local Anesthetic/Vasoconstrictor Precautions
Dental Health: Effects on Dental Treatment
Patient Information
Nursing Implications
Dosage Forms
References

Pronunciation
(i tra KOE na zole)

U.S. Brand Names
Sporanox®

Generic Available

No


Pharmacological Index

Antifungal Agent, Oral


Use

Dental: Treatment of susceptible fungal infections in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients including blastomycosis and histoplasmosis; also has activity against Aspergillus, Candida, Coccidioides, Cryptococcus, Sporothrix and chromomycosis

Medical: Treatment of susceptible fungal infections in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients including blastomycosis and histoplasmosis; indicated for aspergillosis, and onychomycosis of the toenail; treatment of onychomycosis of the fingernail without concomitant toenail infection via a pulse-type dosing regimen; has activity against Aspergillus, Candida, Coccidioides, Cryptococcus, Sporothrix, tinea unguium

Oral solution (not capsules) is marketed for oral and esophageal candidiasis

Useful in superficial mycoses including dermatophytoses (eg, tinea capitis), pityriasis versicolor, sebopsoriasis, vaginal and chronic mucocutaneous candidiases; systemic mycoses including candidiasis, meningeal and disseminated cryptococcal infections, paracoccidioidomycosis, coccidioidomycoses; miscellaneous mycoses such as sporotrichosis, chromomycosis, leishmaniasis, fungal keratitis, alternariosis, zygomycosis

Intravenous solution is indicated in the treatment of blastomycosis, histoplasmosis (nonmeningeal), and aspergillosis (in patients intolerant or refractory to amphotericin B therapy)


Pregnancy Risk Factor

C


Contraindications

Known hypersensitivity to other azoles; concurrent administration with astemizole, cisapride, lovastatin, midazolam, simvastatin, or triazolam


Warnings/Precautions

Rare cases of serious cardiovascular adverse event, including death, ventricular tachycardia and torsade de pointes have been observed due to increased terfenadine and cisapride concentrations induced by itraconazole; patients who develop abnormal liver function tests during itraconazole therapy should be monitored and therapy discontinued if symptoms of liver disease develop


Adverse Reactions

Listed incidences are for higher doses appropriate for systemic fungal infections

1% to 10%:

Cardiovascular: Edema (3.5%), hypertension (3.2%)

Central nervous system: Headache (4%), fatigue (2% to 3%), malaise (1.2%), fever (2.5%)

Dermatologic: Rash (8.6%)

Endocrine & metabolic: Decreased libido (1.2%), hypertriglyceridemia

Gastrointestinal: Abdominal pain (1.5%), vomiting (5%), diarrhea (3%)

Hepatic: Abnormal LFTs (2.7%), hepatitis

<1%: Dizziness, somnolence, pruritus, hypokalemia, anorexia, impotence, adrenal suppression, gynecomastia, albuminuria


Overdosage/Toxicology

Overdoses are well tolerated

Following decontamination, if possible, supportive measures only are required; dialysis is not effective


Drug Interactions

CYP3A3/4 enzyme substrate; CYP3A3/4 enzyme inhibitor

Decreased serum levels with carbamazepine, didanosine, isoniazid, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifabutin, and rifampin; may cause a decreased effect of oral contraceptives; alternative birth control is recommended

Decreased/undetectable serum levels with rifampin - should not be administered concomitantly with rifampin

Absorption requires gastric acidity; therefore, antacids, H2-antagonists (cimetidine and ranitidine), proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole, and sucralfate significantly reduce bioavailability resulting in treatment failures and should not be administered concomitantly; amphotericin B or fluconazole should be used instead

Increased toxicity:

Itraconazole may increase protease inhibitors' serum concentrations.

May increase cyclosporine or tacrolimus levels (by 50%) when high doses are used

Itraconazole increases serum levels of lovastatin (possibly 20-fold) and other HMG-CoA inhibitors due to inhibition of CYP3A4

May increase phenytoin serum concentration

May inhibit warfarin's metabolism

May increase digoxin serum levels

May increase astemizole, busulfan, cisapride, terfenadine, and vinca alkaloid levels - concomitant administration is not recommended due to increased risk of cardiotoxicity

Itraconazole may increase astemizole levels resulting in prolonged Q-T intervals - concomitant administration is contraindicated

Itraconazole may increase levels of cisapride - concomitant administration is contraindicated due to increased risk of cardiotoxicity

May increase amlodipine, benzodiazepine, buspirone, corticosteroids, and oral hypoglycemic levels; use with caution in patients prescribed medications eliminated by CYP3A4 metabolism


Stability

Dilute with 0.9% sodium chloride only; do not dilute in dextrose or lactated Ringer's; may be stored refrigerated or at room temperature for 48 hours; use dedicated infusion line; do not mix with any other medication


Mechanism of Action

Interferes with cytochrome P-450 activity, decreasing ergosterol synthesis (principal sterol in fungal cell membrane) and inhibiting cell membrane formation


Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics

Absorption: Requires gastric acidity; capsule better absorbed with food, solution better absorbed on empty stomach

Distribution: Apparent volume averaged 796±185 L or 10 L/kg; highly lipophilic and tissue concentrations are higher than plasma concentrations. The highest itraconazole concentrations are achieved in adipose, omentum, endometrium, cervical and vaginal mucus, and skin/nails. Aqueous fluids, such as cerebrospinal fluid and urine, contain negligible amounts of itraconazole; steady-state concentrations are achieved in 13 days with multiple administration of itraconazole 100-400 mg/day.

Protein binding: 99.9% bound to plasma proteins; metabolite hydroxy-itraconazole is 99.5% bound to plasma proteins

Metabolism: Extensive by the liver into >30 metabolites including hydroxy-itraconazole which is the major metabolite and appears to have in vitro antifungal activity. The main metabolic pathway is oxidation; may undergo saturation metabolism with multiple dosing

Bioavailability: Increased from 40% fasting to 100% postprandial; absolute oral bioavailability: 55%; hypochlorhydria has been reported in HIV-infected patients; therefore, oral absorption in these patients may be decreased

Half-life: Oral: After single 200 mg dose: 21±5 hours; 64 hours at steady-state; I.V.: steady-state: 35 hours

Elimination: ~3% to 18% excreted in feces; ~0.03% of parent drug excreted renally and 40% of dose excreted as inactive metabolites in urine


Usual Dosage

Oral: Capsule: Absorption is best if taken with food, therefore, it is best to administer itraconazole after meals; Solution: Should be taken on an empty stomach. Absorption of both products is significantly increased when taken with a cola beverage.

Adults:

Oral:

Blastomycosis/histoplasmosis: 200 mg once daily, if no obvious improvement or there is evidence of progressive fungal disease, increase the dose in 100 mg increments to a maximum of 400 mg/day; doses >200 mg/day are given in 2 divided doses; length of therapy varies from 1 day to >6 months depending on the condition and mycological response

Aspergillosis: 200-400 mg/day

Onychomycosis: 200 mg once daily for 12 consecutive weeks

Life-threatening infections: Loading dose: 200 mg 3 times/day (600 mg/day) should be given for the first 3 days of therapy

Oropharyngeal and esophageal candidiasis: Oral solution: 100-200 mg once daily

I.V.: 200 mg twice daily for 4 doses, followed by 200 mg daily

Dosing adjustment in renal impairment: Not necessary; itraconazole injection is not recommended in patients with Clcr <30 mL/minute

Hemodialysis: Not dialyzable

Dosing adjustment in hepatic impairment: May be necessary, but specific guidelines are not available


Dietary Considerations

Food increases absorption of capsule and decreases absorption of the solution


Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status

May cause sedation


Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment

None reported


Dental Health: Local Anesthetic/Vasoconstrictor Precautions

No information available to require special precautions


Dental Health: Effects on Dental Treatment

No effects or complications reported


Patient Information

Take as directed, around-the-clock, with food. Take full course of medication; do not discontinue without notifying prescriber. Practice good hygiene measures to prevent reinfection. If diabetic, test serum glucose regularly (can cause hypoglycemia when given with sulfonylureas). Frequent blood tests may be required with prolonged therapy. You may experience dizziness or drowsiness (use caution when driving or engaging in tasks that require alertness until response to drug is known); nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea (small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking lozenges, or chewing gum may help). Report skin rash or other persistent adverse reactions. Pregnancy/breast-feeding precautions: Inform prescriber if you are or intend to be pregnant. Breast-feeding is not recommended.


Nursing Implications

Do not administer with antacids; doses >200 mg/day are administered in 2 divided doses


Dosage Forms

Capsule: 100 mg

Injection kit: 10 mg/mL - 25 mL ampul, one 50 mL (100 mL capacity) bag 0.9% sodium chloride, one filtered infusion set

Solution, oral: 100 mg/10 mL (150 mL)


References

"1997 USPHS/IDSA Guidelines for the Prevention of Opportunistic Infections in Persons Infected With Human Immunodeficiency Virus. USPHS/IDSA Prevention of Opportunistic Infections Working Group," MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 1997, 46(RR-12):1-46.

Amichai B and Grunwald MH, "Adverse Drug Reactions of the New Oral Antifungal Agents - Terbinafine, Fluconazole, and Itraconazole," Int J Dermatol, 1998, 37(6):410-5.

Cleary JD, Taylor JW, and Chapman SW, "Itraconazole in Antifungal Therapy," Ann Pharmacother, 1992, 26(4):502-9.

Cowie F, Meller ST, Cushing P, et al, "Chemoprophylaxis for Pulmonary Aspergillosis During Intensive Chemotherapy," Arch Dis Child, 1994, 70(2):136-8.

De Backer M, De Vroey C, Lesaffre E, et al, "Twelve Weeks of Continuous Oral Therapy for Toenail Onychomycosis Caused by Dermatophytes: A Double-Blind Comparative Trial of Terbinafine 250 mg/day Versus Itraconazole 200 mg/day," J Am Acad Dermatol, 1998, 38(5 Pt 3):S57-63.

Grant SM and Clissold SP, "Itraconazole. A Review of Its Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Properties, and Therapeutic Use in Superficial and Systemic Mycoses," Drugs, 1989, 37(3):310-44.

Haria M, Bryson HM, and Goa KL, "Itraconazole: A Reappraisal of Its Pharmacological Properties and Therapeutic Use in the Management of Superficial Fungal Infections," Drugs, 1996, 51(4):585-620.

Heymann WR and Manders SM, "Itraconazole-Induced Acute Generalized Exanthemic Pustulosis," J Am Acad Dermatol, 1995, 33(1):130-1.

Jennings TS and Hardin TC, "Treatment of Aspergillosis With Itraconazole," Ann Pharmacother, 1993, 27(10):1206-11.

Kauffman CA and Carver PL, "Antifungal Agents in the 1990s. Current Status and Future Developments," Drugs, 1997, 53(4):539-49.

Kintzel PE, Rollins CJ, Yee WJ, et al, "Low Itraconazole Serum Concentrations Following Administration of Itraconazole Suspension to Critically Ill Allogenic Bone Marrow Transplant Recipients," Ann Pharmacother, 1995, 29(2):140-3.

Lyman CA and Walsh TJ, "Systemically Administered Antifungal Agents. A Review of Their Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutic Applications," Drugs, 1992, 44(1):9-35.

Mouy R, Veber F, Blanche S, et al, "Long-Term Itraconazole Prophylaxis Against Aspergillus Infections in Thirty-Two Patients With Chronic Granulomatous Disease," J Pediatr, 1994, 125(6 Pt 1):998-1003.

Neuvonen PJ and Suhonen R, "Itraconazole Interacts With Felodipine," J Am Acad Dermatol, 1995, 33(1):134-5.

Terrell CL, "Antifungal Agents. Part II. The Azoles," Mayo Clin Proc, 1999, 74(1):78-100.

Tobon AM, Franco L, Espinal D, et al, "Disseminated Histoplasmosis in Children: The Role of Itraconazole Therapy," Pediatr Infect Dis J, 1996; 15:1002-8.

Trepanier EF and Amsden GW, "Current Issues in Onchomycosis," Ann Pharmacother, 1998, 32(2):204-14.

Tucker RM, Haq Y, Denning DW, et al, "Adverse Effects Associated With Itraconazole in 189 Patients on Chronic Therapy," J Antimicrob Chemother, 1990, 26(4):561-6.

Varhe A, Olkkola KT, and Neuvonen PJ, "Oral Triazolam is Potentially Hazardous to Patients Receiving Systemic Antimycotics Ketoconazole or Itraconazole," Clin Pharmacol Ther, 1994, 56(6 Pt 1):601-7.

Wheat J, Hafner R, Korzun AH, et al, "Itraconazole Treatment of Disseminated Histoplasmosis in Patients With the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome," Am J Med, 1995, 98(4):336-42.


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