Itraconazole: Brands, Price & Uses in Bangladesh

Itraconazole is a broad-spectrum triazole antifungal used to treat a range of fungal infections. Its approved and guideline-supported uses include:

Established / FDA-Approved Uses

• Onychomycosis of the toenail or fingernail caused by dermatophytes, in patients with normal cardiac function.
• Systemic fungal infections, including blastomycosis (pulmonary and extrapulmonary) and histoplasmosis (including chronic cavitary pulmonary disease and disseminated, non-meningeal histoplasmosis).
• Invasive aspergillosis in patients who are intolerant of, or refractory to, amphotericin B therapy.
• Oropharyngeal and esophageal candidiasis, including in immunocompromised patients.

Guideline-Supported / Widely Used Indications

• Dermatophyte infections of the skin such as tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea pedis, and tinea manuum.
• Pityriasis (tinea) versicolor caused by Malassezia species.
• Vulvovaginal candidiasis, as a short-course oral alternative to topical therapy.

Off-Label / Specialist Use

• Prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections in selected high-risk, severely immunocompromised patients (e.g. prolonged neutropenia, graft-versus-host disease), under specialist supervision.
• Maintenance or step-down therapy after initial treatment of certain systemic mycoses with other antifungal agents.

The specific organism, infection site, and formulation determine the appropriate regimen; a physician's assessment, often supported by laboratory confirmation, is required before starting Itraconazole.

Dosing of Itraconazole depends on the infection being treated, its severity, and the formulation used. The following is a general guide; the treating physician's prescription should always be followed.

See Administration for guidance on taking capsules versus oral solution correctly. In patients with reduced kidney or liver function, dosing may need adjustment - see Use in Special Populations. The full prescribed course of Itraconazole should be completed even if symptoms improve early, and doses should not be skipped, doubled, or shared with another person without medical advice.

Most people tolerate Itraconazole well, but side effects can occur.

Common (usually mild)

• Nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or dyspepsia
• Headache and dizziness
• Rash
• Mild, transient elevation of liver enzymes

Less common but important

• Edema, particularly of the lower limbs
• Hypertension
• Hypokalemia (more likely with longer courses or higher doses)

Rare but serious - seek medical attention

• Signs of liver injury: yellowing of skin/eyes, dark urine, unusual fatigue, loss of appetite, pale stools (see Precautions and Warnings).
• Signs of heart failure: shortness of breath, swelling of legs/ankles, unexplained fatigue, sudden weight gain.
• Signs of a severe allergic reaction: facial/throat swelling, severe rash, difficulty breathing.
• Peripheral neuropathy (numbness/tingling) with prolonged use.
• Hearing loss (rare, sometimes reversible).

Report any severe, persistent, or worsening side effect to a physician promptly.