Drug name: Ketoconazole

Therapeutic effect of Ketoconazole: Ketoconazole is an anti-fungal drug which is used for treating various infections like tinea versicolor, tinea cruris or jock itch, and tinea corporis.

Indications: Ketoconazole is used for treating:

• Infection of the feet caused by fungus (Athlete's foot (or) Ringworm of the foot (or) Tinea pedis)
• Tinea corporis (or) Ringworm of the body (or) Tinea glabrosa
• Tinea cruris (or) Jock itch (or) Crotch itch (or) Crotch rot
• Seborrheic eczema (or) Seborrheic dermatitis
• Tinea versicolor (or) Pityriasis versicolor (or) Sun fungus
• Skin infection caused by candida fungi (cutaneous candidiasis)

Precautions and Restrictions: Prior to using any medicine it is wise to think whether the benefits of using the medicine is more than the risks involved. It is advisable to consult a doctor to make such decision. Before using Ketoconazole take the following information into consideration:

While consulting with a doctor inform him about your reaction to medicines like sulfites, miconazole, ketoconazole, or other imidazoles. If you are allergic to these substances let the doctor know, along with it inform him if you are allergic to any other substance, dye, or preservatives.

Though this medicine's reaction on pregnant women has not been tested, this medicine has detrimental effect on pregnant animals. So, while consulting a doctor inform him about your pregnancy. Similarly, the effect of ketoconazole on lactating mothers has not been studied. Ketoconazole when used on skin was not absorbed enough to pass into mother's milk. So it is highly unlikely that this medicine will affect nursing babies.

There are no formal reports to show the effect of ketoconazole on children.

The reaction of ketoconazole on elderly people has not been studied, so it is difficult to say whether this medicine will have the same effect as it had on younger users.

It is not advisable to use certain medicines together but at times it may become necessary to do so. On such occasions talk to a doctor and inform him the medicines you are already using. Your doctor may suggest dosage changes or certain precautions.

Side effects: Users of Ketoconazole may experience certain side effects, these may not occur in all people using this drug. Some of the adverse reactions that users of this drug may experience are:

• Some common reactions like irritation, stinging pain, and itching.
• Rare reactions: Rashes

The above mentioned side effects do not represent a comprehensive account of all the unintended reactions that the user of Ketoconazole may experience. For the complete account of all side effects kindly consult a medical care provider, a pharmacist, or go through the report given by the manufacturer of Ketoconazole.

Interactions: If you are using Ketoconazole then it is very important to consult a doctor and apprise him of the treatment or medication you are currently taking and also get a prescription from your doctor before starting any new drug. This is to make sure that the combination of the two drugs is safe.

Additional Information: Ketoconazole should not be used without prior approval of a trained physician. Do not share these drugs with anybody else. Ketoconazole are made for specific conditions and it's not advisable to use them for other purposes. Keep medicinal drugs out of the reach of children.