sporanox

Sporanox (itraconazole) is an antifungal medication that fights infections caused by fungus.

Sporanox is used to treat infections caused by fungus, which can invade any part of the body including the lungs, mouth or throat, toenails, or fingernails.

Sporanox may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

You should not take Sporanox if you have ever had congestive heart failure.

Before taking Sporanox, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, a history of stroke, a heart rhythm disorder, kidney or liver disease, a breathing disorder, cystic fibrosis, or a history of Long QT syndrome.

Many drugs can interact with itraconazole, and some drugs should not be used together. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Sporanox.

Life-threatening side effects may ccur if you take Sporanox with cisapride, dihydroergotamine, disopyramide, dofetilide, dronedarone, eplerenone, ergonovine, ergotamine, felodipine, irinotecan, lurasidone, lovastatin, methadone, methylergonovine, oral midazolam, nisoldipine, pimozide, quinidine, ranolazine, simvastatin, ticagrelor, or triazolam.

If you have liver or kidney disease, you should not take itraconazole with colchicine, fesoterodine, solifenacin, or telithromycin.

You should not take Sporanox to treat a toenail or fingernail infection if you are pregnant or may become pregnant during treatment.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take Sporanox if you are allergic to itraconazole or similar medicines such as fluconazole or ketoconazole, or if you have ever had congestive heart failure.

You should not take Sporanox to treat a toenail or fingernail infection if you are pregnant or may become pregnant during treatment.

Some medicines can cause unwanted or life-threatening side effects when used with Sporanox. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you use any of the following drugs:

• cisapride;

• eplerenone;

• irinotecan;

• methadone;

• ranolazine;

• ticagrelor;

• disopyramide, dofetilide, dronedarone, quinidine;

• felodipine or nisoldipine;

• lovastatin or simvastatin;

• oral midazolam, triazolam;

• lurasidone, pimozide; or

• ergot medicines such as dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, or methylergonovine.

If you have liver or kidney disease, you should not take itraconazole with colchicine, fesoterodine, solifenacin, or telithromycin.

To make sure Sporanox is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder, circulation problems, or a history of stroke;

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other breathing disorder;

• kidney disease;

• cirrhosis or other liver disease;

• cystic fibrosis; or

• a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome.

It is not known whether Sporanox will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.

Itraconazole can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

How should I take Sporanox?

Take Sporanox exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

The Sporanox capsule should be taken after a full meal.

Take Sporanox oral solution (liquid) on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Swish the liquid in your mouth for several seconds before swallowing it.

Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

The Sporanox PulsePak has a special dosing schedule that includes not taking the medicine for several days in a row. Follow all dosing instructions carefully.

Do not crush, chew, break, or open a capsule. Swallow it whole.

Sporanox capsules should not be used in place of the oral solution (liquid) if that is what your doctor has prescribed. Make sure you have received the correct type of this medicine at the pharmacy and ask the pharmacist if you have any questions.

If you also take a stomach acid reducer (Tagamet, Pepcid, Axid, Zantac, and others), take Sporanox with an acidic drink such as non-diet cola.

Take this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Sporanox will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

While using Sporanox, you may need frequent blood tests.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking Sporanox?

This medicine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Avoid taking antacids within 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take Sporanox. Some antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb itraconazole.

Sporanox side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to Sporanox: hives, severe skin rash, tingling in your arms or legs; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking Sporanox and call your doctor at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• confusion, ringing in your ears, problems with hearing;

• fast heartbeats;

• numbness or tingly feeling, blurred vision, double vision, loss of bladder control;

• severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting;

• little or no urinating, pain or burning when you urinate;

• signs of congestive heart failure--shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), cough with mucus, fast heartbeats, swelling, rapid weight gain, sleep problems; or

• liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects may include:

• headache, dizziness;

• nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, constipation;

• hair loss;

• fever, muscle aches, joint pain;

• changes in your menstrual periods;

• impotence, erection problems; or

• unusual or unpleasant taste in the mouth.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Sporanox?

Many drugs can interact with itraconazole, and some drugs should not be used together. Tell your doctor about all your medicines and any you start or stop using during treatment with Sporanox, especially:

• antipsychotic medicine or a sedative (such Valium or Xanax);

• HIV/AIDS medicine;

• medicine to treat high cholesterol;

• an antibiotic - ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, erythromycin;

• a blood thinner - rivaroxaban, warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven;

• cancer medicine - dasatinib, nilotinib, and others;

• drugs to treat urinary problems - Detrol, Flomax, Vesicare;

• heart or blood pressure medication - aliskiren, digoxin, diltiazem, verapamil, and others;

• immunosuppressants - dexamethasone, everolimus, and others;

• medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection - cyclosporine, sirolimus, and others;

• migraine headache medicine - eletriptan and others;

• narcotic pain medicine - fentanyl, oxycodone, and others; or

• seizure medicine - carbamazepine and others.

This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with itraconazole. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.