Antifungals, Azole : Before Using

Antifungals, Azole - Systemic

Antifungals, Azole *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects *** Additional Information

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For the azole antifungals, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to any of the azole antifungals. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

Studies have not been done in pregnant women. However, studies in some pets have shown that azole antifungals, taken in high doses, may cause harm to the mother and the fetus. They have causing birth defects in pets. Before taking these medication, make sure your family doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding problem

Azole antifungals pass into breast milk. Mothers who are taking these medication and who wish to breast-feed must discuss this with their family doctors.

Use for Children

A small number of children have been safely treated with azole antifungals. Be sure to discuss with your child's family doctor the use of these medication in child.

Elderly care

Many medication have not been studied specifically in elderly people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in adults people or if they cause various side effects or problems in elderly people. There is no special info comparing use of azole antifungals in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking azole antifungals, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Acetaminophen - Tylenol - with long-term, high-dose use
Amiodarone - Cordarone
Anabolic steroids - nandrolone " Anabolin ", oxandrolone " Anavar ", oxymetholone " Anadrol ", stanozolol " Winstrol "
Androgens - male hormones
Antithyroid agents - drug for overactive thyroid
Carmustine - BiCNU
Chloroquine - Aralen
Dantrolene - Dantrium
Daunorubicin - Cerubidine
Disulfiram - Antabuse
Divalproex - Depakote
Estrogens - female hormones
Etretinate - Tegison
Gold salts - drug for arthritis
Hydroxychloroquine - Plaquenil
Mercaptopurine - Purinethol
Methotrexate - Mexate
Methyldopa - Aldomet
Naltrexone - Trexan - with long-term, high-dose use
Oral contraceptives - birth control pills containing estrogen
Other anti-infectives by mouth or by injection - drug for infection
Phenothiazines - acetophenazine " Tindal ", chlorpromazine " Thorazine ", fluphenazine " Prolixin ", mesoridazine " Serentil ", perphenazine " Trilafon ", prochlorperazine " Compazine ", promazine " Sparine ", promethazine " Phenergan ", thioridazine " Mellaril ", trifluoperazine " Stelazine ", triflupromazine " Vesprin ", trimeprazine " Temaril "
Plicamycin - Mithracin
Valproic acid - Depakene Use of these medication with azole antifungals may increase the risk of side effects effecting the liver

Alprazolam - Xanax
Diazepam - Valium
Midazolam - Versed
Triazolam - Halcion Sedative effects are increased when taken with itraconazole or ketoconazole.

Amantadine - Symmetrel
Antacids
Anticholinergics - drug for abdominal or stomach spasms or cramps
Antidepressants - drug for depression
Antidyskinetics - drug for Parkinson's disease or other conditions effecting control of muscles
Antihistamines
Antipsychotics - drug for mental illness
Buclizine - Bucladin
Cimetidine - Tagamet
Cyclizine - Marezine
Cyclobenzaprine - Flexeril
Disopyramide - Norpace
Famotidine - Pepcid
Flavoxate - Urispas
Ipratropium - Atrovent
Meclizine - Antivert
Methylphenidate - Ritalin
Nizatidine - Axid
Omeprazole - Prilosec
Orphenadrine - Norflex
Oxybutynin - Ditropan
Procainamide - Pronestyl
Promethazine - Phenergan
Quinidine - Quinidex
Ranitidine - Zantac
Sucralfate - Carafate
Trimeprazine - Temaril Use of these medication may decrease the effects of itraconazole and ketoconazole; these medication must be taken at least 2 hours after itraconazole or ketoconazole

Antidiabetic agents, oral - chlorpropamide " Diabinese ", glipizide " Glucotrol ", glyburide " DiaBeta, Micronase ", tolbutamide " Orinase "

Astemizole - Hismanal
Terfenadine - Seldane These medication must not be taken with fluconazole, itraconazole, or ketoconazole; these azole antifungals may increase the risk of serious side effects of astemizole or terfenadine

Atorvastatin - Lipitor
Cerivastatin - Baycol
Lovastatin - Mevacor
Simvastatin - Zocor Use of these drugs with itraconazole or ketoconazole since increased levels of these drugs can cause serious muscular disorders.

Busulfan - Myleran
Docetaxel - Taxotere
Vinblastine - Velban
Vincristine - Oncovin Metabolism of these drugs may be delayed by itraconazole.

Felodipine - Plendil
Nifedipine - Procardia
Verapamil - Isoptin, Covera Concurrent use can cause water retention or slow the heart rate.

Carbamazepine - Tegretol
Phenobarbital - Luminal
Phenytoin - Dilantin Concurrent use with itraconazole may decrease itraconazole concentrations. Phenytoin concentrations may be increased.

Cisapride - Propulsid Cisapride must not be taken with itraconazole or oral ketoconazole; these azole antifungals may increase the risk of serious side effects of cisapride

Cyclosporine - Sandimmune, Neoral
Tacrolimus - Prograf Concomitant use may cause increased concentrations of these drugs, resulting in toxicity.

Didanosine - ddI, Videx Use of didanosine with itraconazole or ketoconazole may decrease the effects of itraconazole or ketoconazole, as well as of didanosine. Itraconazole and ketoconazole must be taken at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after didanosine is given

Digoxin - Lanoxin Digoxin concentrations may be increased, resulting in toxicity.

Dofetilide - eg., Tikosyn
Pimozide - Orap
Quinidine - Quinaglute, Cardioquin, Quinidex Pimozide, dofetilide and quinidine must not be taken with itraconazole; itraconazole may increase the risk of serious side effects of pimozide, dofetilide and quinidine.

Indinavir - Crixivan
Ritonavir - Norvir
Saquinivir - Invirase Use of these drugs with itraconazole or ketoconazole may increase the effects of indinavir

Isoniazid
Rifampin - Rifadin These medication may decrease the effects of azole antifungals

Clarithromycin - Biaxin
Erythromycin - E-Mycin Plasma concentrations of itraconazole may be increased.

Nevirapine - Viramune Plasma concentrations of itraconazole or ketoconazole may be decreased.

Warfarin - Coumadin Anticoagulant effects may be increased.

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of azole antifungals. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Congestive heart failure Itraconazole may slow down the heart rhythm and make heart failure worse.

Achlorhydria - absence of stomach acid
Hypochlorhydria - decreased amount of stomach acid Itraconazole and ketoconazole may not be absorbed from the stomach as well in diseaseds who have low levels of or no stomach acid

Alcohol abuse - or history of
Liver disease Alcohol abuse or liver disease may increase the risk of side effects causing by azole antifungals

Kidney disease The effects of fluconazole may be increased in diseaseds with kidney disease