Ketoconazole can be described as a synthetic antifungal agent that has a wide spectrum. It is used in the treatment of different types of fungal infections, which have a great potential of spreading to different body parts via the bloodstream. These are infections that have their origins in the skin, lungs as well as yeast infections of the blood, mouth, urinary tract and the lungs.
It can also be prescribed for the treatment of fungal infections of the skin and nails, especially those that other types of antifungal medications have failed to treat. It belongs to an antifungal class called imidazoles. It mainly works by delaying the growth and development of fungi that cause infection.
It has a molecular weight of 531.43 g/mol. Other brand names include Panfungol, Orifungal, Nizoral, Ketozole, Ketoisdin, Ketoderm, Ketoconazolum, Ketocanozol, Ketocanazole, Fungoral, Fungarest and Extina.
About Ketoconazole Benefits
There are several benefits associated with Ketoconazole. The notable ones include h following:
- It is used to treat candidiasis.
- It can be successfully used with other types of treatments.
- It is easy to incorporate into the user’s daily routine.
- It may be used in the treatment of vaginal yeast infections.
- It can be used to treat tinea versicolor.
- It can treat Cushing’s syndrome.
- It is effective against excessive hair growth in users who are women.
- Ketoconazole for the treatment of prostate cancer.
- It can be utilized to treat leishmaniasis.
- It is effective against eumycetoma.
- It can treat high blood levels of valuable calcium, especially in patients who have been diagnosed some conditions.
- It is utilized in the treatment of paracoccidioidomycosis.
- Ketoconazole is effective in treating chromomyosis.
- It treats histoplasmosis.
- It is good for oral thrush.
- It used to treat candidiasis.
- Ketoconazole is effective against candiduria.
- It is applied in the treatment of chronic mucocutaneous.
The above benefits are far from exhaustive because there are many more advantages associated with the use of Ketoconazole.
Side Effects
There are a few side effects that are associated with the use of Ketoconazole. The notable ones include the ones listed below:
- It can lead to depression. This is difficult to detect due to the fact that it is mistaken for feelings of loneliness or stress.
- Users of Ketoconazole can cause stomach pain.
- It can result in dry skin.
- Ketoconazole has caused headaches.
- It can cause hair loss in some users.
- It can cause rashes
- It can lead to itching.
- Users can experience some difficulty in either breathing or swallowing or both.
- Hives are another common side effect.
- Ketoconazole can even affect an individual’s psychological state such that they think or plan of killing or hurting themselves. This is one of the more serious side effects.
Precaution
There are a number of precautionary measures that consumers of Ketoconazole should observe. These are:
- Pregnant women should not use Ketoconazole before consulting a qualified doctor. This ensures that it is safe for the baby and the mother.
- People should not take alcoholic beverages while using Ketoconazole medication. This may lead to the appearance of extreme side effects like swelling, severe headache, upset stomach, flushing and rashes in some body parts.
- Breastfeeding mothers are advised not to use it prior to consulting a doctor.
Top Products
Ketoconazole has many top products, but the following are the main ones:
Ketoconazole
This product is of the topical route. It is used in the treatment of infections that are as a result of yeast or fungus. It works by preventing their growth or preventing them altogether. It is available in different forms i.e. cream, solution, gel/jelly, foam and shampoo.
Ketoconazole 2%
This product has its active ingredient as ketoconazole. It is a shampoo and each gram of the product has 20 mg of ketoconazole. It is used in the treatment as well as prevention of pityriasis versicolor, pityriasis capitis and seborrhoeic. It is strictly for topical administration.
Nizoral
It is a shampoo with strength of 20mg/ml. It is applied via the topical route and is manufactured by the A.S Medication Solutions.
Extina
This product is in aerosol foam and has strength of 20mg/g. It is also applied through the topical route. Prestium Pharma, Inc is the manufacturer of this effective product.
Ketoconazole Review Summary
Ketoconazole is an effective medication that is widely used for the treatment of various fungal infections. The directions of use are specific to every kind of medication and full recovery takes a significant length of time.
