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Compare Ketoconazole vs. Vfend

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

Key takeaways

Ketoconazole cream and Voriconazole (Vfend) are both antifungal medications used to treat fungal infections, but they differ in several ways. Ketoconazole cream is a topical antifungal used to treat skin infections like ringworm, jock itch, athlete's foot, and seborrheic dermatitis. It is applied directly to the skin and is available only by prescription. Voriconazole (Vfend), on the other hand, is an azole antifungal available in oral and injectable forms only by prescription, used for more serious infections like invasive aspergillosis and esophageal candidiasis. Voriconazole can be used in both adults and children as young as 2 years old, while ketoconazole cream is only approved for adults. Ketoconazole cream has few side effects, mainly skin irritation, while voriconazole can cause more severe side effects, including vision changes and liver damage. Voriconazole also has many drug interactions, unlike ketoconazole cream, which is applied topically and has minimal systemic absorption.

  • Ketoconazole cream
    Voriconazole (Vfend)
  • Ketoconazole cream
    Voriconazole (Vfend)

  • Summary of Ketoconazole vs. Vfend

    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.

    Summary for Antifungal
    Prescription only

    Voriconazole (Vfend) is an azole antifungal. It's used in adults and children ages 2 years and older to treat serious fungal infections, including invasive aspergillosis (IA) and esophageal candidiasis (EC). If you have a serious infection that needs voriconazole (Vfend), your healthcare team will typically give you this medication as an intravenous infusion in a hospital setting first. Once your condition improves, they might switch you to voriconazole (Vfend) tablet or oral suspension that's taken by mouth every 12 hours. Some common side effects of voriconazole (Vfend) include vision changes, nausea, and rash.

  • Indications of Ketoconazole vs. Vfend

    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)
    Indications for
    •Invasive aspergillosis (IA)
    •Candidemia (candidiasis infection of the bloodstream)
    •Candidiasis infections that have spread to deep tissue areas, including stomach and wounds
    •Esophageal candidiasis (EC)
    •Scedosporiosis and fusariosis fungal infections in people who can't take, or didn't respond well, to other treatment

  • Pros and Cons of Ketoconazole vs. Vfend

    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
    Pros and Const for Antifungal
    Pros
    •Liquid suspension available for people who can't swallow tablets
    •Liquid suspension can be stored at room temperature
    •Possible option in children as young as 2 years old
    Cons
    •Interacts with many medications, including omeprazole (Prilosec)
    •Can cause serious skin reactions, vision problems, and sensitivity to light
    •Tablets contain lactose, not a good choice for people who need to avoid lactose

  • Common Side Effects of Ketoconazole vs. Vfend

    Common Side Effects for
    •Itchiness (5%)
    •Skin irritation (5%)
    •Stinging (5%)
    Common Side Effects for

    Adults:

    •Vision changes (19%)
    •Fever (6%)
    •Nausea (5%)
    •Rash (5%)

    Children:

    •Vision changes (26%)
    •Fever (25%)
    •Vomiting (20%)
    •Nose bleeds (16%)
    •Nausea (13%)
    •Rash (13%)
    •Stomach pain (12%)
    •Low blood potassium levels (11%)
    •Diarrhea (11%)
    •High blood pressure (11%)
    •Cough (10%)
    •Low platelet count (10%)
    •Headache (10%)

  • Warnings of Ketoconazole vs. Vfend

    Common Side Effects for
    •Allergic reaction
    Common Side Effects for
    •Liver damage
    •Life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm
    •Vision changes
    •Allergic reaction (during IV infusions)
    •Severe skin reaction
    •Sun and light sensitivity
    •Harm during pregnancy
    •Low adrenal hormone levels
    •Inflammation of the pancreas
    •Bone and teeth problems
    •Risk of kidney problems

  • Prices with our coupons for Ketoconazole vs. Vfend

    Learn more about Ketoconazole cream
    Learn more about Voriconazole

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