Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Sporanox.
Abnormal heart rhythms: Sporanox can cause abnormal heart rhythms. Certain medications (e.g., cisapride, methadone, pimozide, or quinidine) can increase the risk of a type of abnormal heart rhythm called QT prolongation, and should not be used in combination with itraconazole. You are more at risk for this type of abnormal heart rhythm and its complications if you:
- are female
- are older than 65 years of age
- have a family history of sudden cardiac death
- have a history of heart disease or abnormal heart rhythms
- have a slow heart rate
- have congenital prolongation of the QT interval
- have Diabetes
- have had a Stroke
- have low potassium, magnesium, or calcium levels
- have nutritional deficiencies
If you have heart disease and abnormal heart rhythms, or people are taking certain medications (e.g., Verapamil, atazanavir), discuss with your doctor how Sporanox may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Sporanox, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Capsules and solution: Itraconazole capsules and oral solution should not be used interchangeably. When the same dose of medication is given, the exposure to the itraconazole is greater with the oral solution than with the capsules.
Decreased stomach acidity: Less itraconazole is absorbed into the body when stomach acidity is decreased. For people also taking antacids (e.g., aluminum hydroxide), these should be taken at least 2 hours after itraconazole. In people with achlorhydria (decreased stomach acidity), such as certain AIDS patients or people on acid secretion suppressors (e.g., H2-antagonists such as Ranitidine or proton pump inhibitors such as Omeprazole), it is advisable to take itraconazole with a cola beverage.
Effects on ability to drive and use machines: Itraconazole may cause dizziness, hearing or vision changes, affecting your ability to drive or operate machinery. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other potentially hazardous tasks until you have determined how you are affected by Sporanox.
Heart failure: Itraconazole may cause symptoms of heart failure to become worse. If you have risk factors for heart failure, discuss with your doctor how Sporanox may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Sporanox, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Kidney function: Decreased kidney function may affect how well Sporanox works for you. If you have kidney problems, discuss with your doctor how Sporanox may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Sporanox, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Liver function: Itraconazole may reduce liver function and can cause liver failure. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Sporanox may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Sporanox, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking Sporanox.
For treatment with itraconazole longer than 30 days, your doctor will order lab tests to monitor liver function. Although serious liver reactions have been rare, contact your doctor if you notice signs of liver problems such as unusual fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or pale stools.
Pregnancy: Women who may become pregnant must use an effective form of birth control during therapy and for 2 menstrual cycles (2 months) after stopping therapy with itraconazole. Itraconazole should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefit outweighs the risks. It should not be used for the treatment of onychomycoses (fungal nail infections) or dermatomycoses (fungal skin infections) in women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Sporanox, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: Sporanox passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking itraconazole, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The efficacy and safety of using itraconazole have not been established for children.
Seniors: Information regarding the safety and effectiveness of itraconazole when used by seniors is limited. The risk of side effects is greater for people over 65 years of age, so they should Sporanox should only be used if the benefits outweigh the risks.
