Ketoconazole is an antifungal drug that comes in the form of tablets, creams or shampoos, effective against skin fungi, oral and vaginal thrush and seborrheic dermatitis.
This active ingredient is generally available under trade names such as Nizoral, Conazole, Femisan, for example, and should only be used as a medical indication and for as long as the doctor recommends, and can be purchased from pharmacies.
- The ketoconazole tablet can be used to treat problems such as vaginal thrush.
- Oral thrush.
- Seborrheic dermatitis.
- Dandruff or skin fungi.
For skin fungi such as skin thrush, Tinea corporis, Tinea cruris, athlete’s pie and versicolor pitiriasis, for example, ketoconazole is recommended in cream and in case of seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff, it can be used in ketoconazole and shampoo.
Ketoconazole tablets for adults should be taken with food. Generally, the recommended dose is 1 200 mg tablet once daily and, in some cases, when a clinical response is not expected, your doctor may increase the dose to 2 tablets a day.
For 2-year-olds it should also be consumed with food, and this varies depending on weight:
The cream should be applied once a day, taking into account appropriate hygiene practices to prevent the cream from contaminating and re-infecting. Results are observed within 4 weeks of treatment.
Ketoconazole shampoo should be applied to the hair, leaving it to act 3 to 5 minutes before rinsing, if in the case of seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff 1 application is recommended, twice a week, for a period of 2 to 4 weeks.
Side effects vary depending on the form of use, although they can cause vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, headaches and diarrhea. In the case of ointment, it may cause itching, irritation of the area and feeling stinging; and in the case of a hair shampoo, it can cause hair loss, irritation, change in hair texture, hair, dry skin and hair in the hair.
Ketoconazole should not be used in people with hypersensitivity to any of the components of the formula.
In addition, pills should not be used in people with acute or chronic liver disease, but in women during lactation without medical advice.