Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Sporanox vs. Ketoconazole

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura) and ketoconazole (Nizoral) are both antifungal medications, but they are used in different ways and for different types of infections. Itraconazole is taken orally and is used to treat serious fungal infections like blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, and aspergillosis, as well as fungal nail infections. It requires a prescription and must be taken with food. Itraconazole can cause serious side effects, including heart problems and liver damage, and it interacts with many other medications. On the other hand, ketoconazole is a topical cream used to treat fungal skin infections such as ringworm, jock itch, athlete's foot, and seborrheic dermatitis. It is also prescription-only but has fewer side effects since it is applied to the skin and not absorbed into the bloodstream. Unlike itraconazole, ketoconazole cream is not known to cause serious heart or liver issues. However, it can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions, especially in people with asthma or sulfite allergies.

  • Itraconazole (Sporanox) capsule
    Ketoconazole cream
  • Itraconazole (Sporanox) capsule
    Ketoconazole cream

  • Summary of Sporanox vs. Ketoconazole

    Summary for Antifungal
    Prescription only

    Itraconazole (Sporanox) capsule is used to treat various fungal infections. You might have to take it for several weeks or months. It interacts with many medications, which can lead to serious heart-related side effects.

    Summary for Antifungal
    Prescription only

    Ketoconazole cream is an antifungal medication. It's used to treat different types of fungal skin infections, including ringworm and yeast skin infections. Ketoconazole cream is approved for adults only. It's typically applied onto the skin once or twice a day. Most people have very few side effects, like itching and stinging where the cream is applied.

  • Indications of Sporanox vs. Ketoconazole

    Indications for

    Severe fungal infections in people with weakened or healthy immune systems - itraconazole (Tolsura) and itraconazole (Sporanox) capsule:

    •Blastomycosis
    •Histoplasmosis
    •Aspergillosis in people in which amphotericin b (Ambisome) hasn't worked or isn't tolerated

    Fungal toenail and fingernail infections (onychomycosis) for people with healthy immune systems - itraconazole (Sporanox) capsule only

    Indications for
    •Ringworm
    •Jock itch
    •Athlete's foot
    •Tinea versicolor (a fungal infection that causes discolored patches on the skin)
    •Seborrheic dermatitis
    •Yeast infection on the skin (caused by Candida)

  • Pros and Cons of Sporanox vs. Ketoconazole

    Pros and Const for Antifungal
    Pros
    •Works to treat some serious and life-threatening fungal infections
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    •Can be taken once a day for most conditions
    Cons
    •Can raise your risk for serious heart problems, including heart failure
    •Must be taken for several weeks to months
    •Interacts with many medications
    Pros and Const for Antifungal
    Pros
    •Can treat many different kinds of fungal skin infections
    •Skin usually starts improving shortly after you start using the cream
    •Applied directly to the affected area(s)
    •Has few side effects
    Cons
    •Must use for at least 2 weeks (depends on the type of infection)
    •Not available over the counter
    •Some creams have sulfites, which can cause allergic reactions in certain people
    •Not known if safe for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding

  • Common Side Effects of Sporanox vs. Ketoconazole

    Common Side Effects for
    •Nausea (11%)
    •Rash (3-9%)
    •Vomiting (5%)
    •Swelling in the arms and legs (4%)
    •Headache (1-4%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Itchiness (5%)
    •Skin irritation (5%)
    •Stinging (5%)

  • Warnings of Sporanox vs. Ketoconazole

    Common Side Effects for
    •Congestive heart failure (CHF)
    •Abnormal heart rhythm (QT prolongation)
    •Liver damage
    •Interactions with other medications
    •Hearing loss
    •Vision problems
    •Nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Allergic reaction

  • Prices with our coupons for Sporanox vs. Ketoconazole

    Learn more about Itraconazole
    Learn more about Ketoconazole cream

Compare other Fungal Infection drugs

Itraconazole vs AmbisomeItraconazole vs ClotrimazoleItraconazole vs DiflucanItraconazole vs EconazoleItraconazole vs KetoconazoleItraconazole vs NystatinItraconazole vs OravigItraconazole vs TerbinafineNoxafil vs ItraconazoleClotrimazole vs KetoconazoleDiflucan vs NystatinKetoconazole vs CresembaKetoconazole vs DiflucanKetoconazole vs EconazoleKetoconazole vs NoxafilKetoconazole vs OravigKetoconazole vs TriamcinoloneKetoconazole vs VfendMupirocin vs NystatinNoxafil vs AmbisomeNoxafil vs DiflucanNystatin vs ClotrimazoleNystatin vs EconazoleNystatin vs OravigSporanox vs KetoconazoleTerbinafine vs ClotrimazoleTerbinafine vs NystatinTerbinafine vs OravigTerbinafine vs TinactinVfend vs Ambisome
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.