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Ketoconazole Coupon - Ketoconazole 60g of 2% tube of cream

ketoconazole

Generic
Used for Seborrheic Dermatitis, Athlete's Foot, Ringworm, Jock Itch, Candidiasis, Fungal Infection, Thrush, Tinea Versicolor
Used for Seborrheic Dermatitis, Athlete's Foot, Ringworm, Jock Itch, Candidiasis, Fungal Infection, Thrush, Tinea Versicolor

Ketoconazole cream can help treat several different types of fungal skin infections. It's applied onto the skin and has very few side effects. This medication is only FDA approved for use in adults, since it isn't known if it's safe or works well in children.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Christina Aungst, PharmD
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on February 2, 2023
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Ketoconazole cream?

What is Ketoconazole cream used for?

How Ketoconazole cream works

Ketoconazole cream is an antifungal medication. It kills the fungus causing skin infections by damaging its protective outer layer.

Are you looking for information on ketoconazole shampoo (Nizoral A-D), Xolegel (ketoconazole) gel, Extina (ketoconazole) foam, or ketoconazole tablet instead?
When does Ketoconazole cream start working?
Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Initial effect
Full effect

Drug Facts

Common BrandsNizoral (brand no longer available)
Drug ClassAntifungal
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Avg retail price
$85.94(save 86.34%)
GoodRx discount
$11.73
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What are the side effects of Ketoconazole cream?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Itching (5%)
  • Skin irritation (5%)
  • Stinging (5%)

Other Side Effects

  • Rash at application site

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Severe allergic reaction: hives, swelling, trouble breathing
When do Ketoconazole cream possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
MINUTES
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Itching
Skin irritation
Stinging

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common—For cream, shampoo, foam, or gel

Itching, stinging, burning, or irritation not present before use of this medicine

Rare—For cream, foam, or gel

Acne

bleeding from sore in the mouth

blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

cracked, dry, or scaly skin

discoloration of the fingernails or toenails

dizziness

eye dryness, irritation, or swelling

red rash with watery, yellow-colored, or pus filled blisters with or without thick yellow to honey-colored crusts

skin dryness, pain, rash, redness, or swelling

sore in the mouth or on the gums

swelling of the face

Rare—For shampoo

Hair loss and irritation

Incidence not known—For gel

Pain

Incidence not known—For shampoo

Blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin

burning sensation of the skin

burning, itching, redness, skin rash, swelling, or soreness at the application site

discoloration of the hair

dry skin

fast heartbeat

fever

hives

hoarseness

irritation

itching, scaling, severe redness, or soreness of the skin

joint pain, stiffness, or swelling

rash

shortness of breath

swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet

thinning of the hair

tightness in the chest

troubled breathing or swallowing

wheezing

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common—For shampoo or gel

Dryness or oiliness of the hair and scalp

headache

Rare—For shampoo

Abnormal hair texture

mild dryness of the skin

scalp pustules

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Ketoconazole cream

thumbs-up

Pros

Works well to treat many fungal skin infections

Skin usually starts improving shortly after starting treatment

Has few side effects

Applied directly to the affected area(s)

Available as a lower-cost generic

thumbs-down

Cons

Must use for 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the type of infection

Not available over the counter

Not approved for use in children

Unknown if safe for pregnant or breastfeeding females

Some products are made with sulfites, which can cause allergies in some people.

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Ketoconazole cream

pharmacist

  • Most people using ketoconazole cream will notice results within a few days of starting it. Make sure to continue to use the medication the entire time your healthcare provider instructed you to do so. Stopping it too early can cause your infection to come back.

    • Use ketoconazole cream only on the skin. Don't put it in your eyes or anywhere else on your body to avoid side effects.

      • Wash and dry the affected areas of your skin well before applying ketoconazole cream. Some stinging or itching after using the medication is possible. But if you notice a rash appear, contact your healthcare provider.

        • Wash your hands well after using ketoconazole cream. This prevents the medication from getting in your eyes or other places on your body where you don't need it.

          • Even though ketoconazole cream treats tinea versicolor within a few weeks, your skin color might not return to normal for weeks or months after finishing your course of treatment. This doesn't mean ketoconazole cream didn't work. Ask your healthcare provider if you have concerns about your skin color after treatment.

            • If you're still having symptoms of your infection after you've finished using ketoconazole cream, let your healthcare provider know. You might need a different medication to treat your infection.

              faqs

              Frequently asked questions about Ketoconazole cream

              Can I use ketoconazole cream on my face?
              Yes, you can apply ketoconazole cream to the skin on your face. But you should only apply the medication where your healthcare provider instructs you to. Applying it to other areas of your skin might cause uncomfortable skin reactions like irritation.
              Is ketoconazole cream a steroid?
              No, ketoconazole cream isn't a steroid. It's an antifungal medication. Sometimes, people are prescribed ketoconazole cream and a steroid at the same time because they can both be used to treat certain similar skin conditions.
              Is ketoconazole cream available over the counter?
              No, ketoconazole cream requires a prescription. But there are other over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal medications that you can find at your local pharmacy. Speak with your provider about the best treatment option for your infection.
              Can ketoconazole cream damage the liver?
              It's unlikely that ketoconazole cream causes harm to the liver. Very little to no medication is absorbed into the bloodstream when used as a cream. This is different from the tablet form, which has been linked to liver damage.
              What's the difference between ketoconazole cream and clotrimazole cream?
              Both ketoconazole cream and clotrimazole cream (Lotrimin AF) are antifungal medications. Both medications can treat athlete's foot, ringworm, and jock itch. But ketoconazole cream is used once a day for these infections, while clotrimazole is used twice a day. Ketoconazole cream is prescription only, whereas clotrimazole is available over the counter.
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              What are the risks and warnings for Ketoconazole cream?

              Ketoconazole cream can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

              risk-warning

              Allergic reactions

              • Risk factors: Asthma | Allergy to sulfites

                Some ketoconazole cream products contain sulfites. Although rare, this ingredient can cause a serious allergic reaction. If you're allergic to sulfites or have asthma, your risk of a reaction is higher. Sulfite and sulfa are not the same thing, and many people with sulfa allergies can still use medications containing sulfites. If you know you have a sulfite allergy, let your healthcare provider know before you start using ketoconazole cream. If you notice hives, swelling of the lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing after using ketoconazole cream, get medical attention right away.

                dosage

                Ketoconazole cream dosage forms

                The average cost for 1 tube of 60g of 2% of Ketoconazole cream is $20.74 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 75.87% off the average retail price of $85.94.
                tube of cream
                Tube of cream
                DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                15g of 2%1 tube$11.73$11.73
                30g of 2%1 tube$14.60$14.60
                60g of 2%1 tube$20.74$20.74

                Typical dosing for Ketoconazole cream

                • Ringworm, jock itch, tinea versicolor, and skin yeast infections: Apply to the affected areas and the areas surrounding the infection once daily for 2 weeks.

                • Athlete's foot: Apply to the affected areas and the areas surrounding the infection once daily for 6 weeks.

                • Seborrheic dermatitis: Apply to the affected areas twice daily for 4 weeks or until the skin is clear.

                interactions

                Interactions between Ketoconazole cream and other drugs

                Ketoconazole cream may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Ketoconazole cream. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

                drug-cost

                How much does Ketoconazole cream cost?

                To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
                Ketoconazole cream (generic)
                GoodRx lowest price

                $11.73

                (save 86.34%)
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                alternatives

                What are alternatives to Ketoconazole cream?

                There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Ketoconazole cream. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                Ketoconazole cream
                Used for:
                $11.73 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                Ciclopirox
                Used for:

                • Jock itch

                • Athlete's foot

                • Ringworm

                • Tinea versicolor (fungal infection that causes discolored spots on the skin)

                • Yeast infections of the skin

                • Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp - shampoo and gel only

                • Fungal nail infection - nail lacquer only

                $20.23 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                Clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF)
                Used for:
                $10.36 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                latest news

                What is the latest news about Ketoconazole cream?

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                Ketoconazole dosages vary depending on the type and severity of infection being treated. Topical and oral ketoconazole also have different recommended doses.

                Ketoconazole Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide for Oral and Topical Ketoconazole

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                images

                Ketoconazole cream images

                Ketoconazole Coupon - Ketoconazole 15g of 2% tube of cream
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                Ketoconazole Coupon - Ketoconazole 30g of 2% tube of cream
                tube (30g) 2% of ketoconazole creamKetoconazole Coupon - Ketoconazole 30g of 2% tube of cream
                Ketoconazole Coupon - Ketoconazole 60g of 2% tube of cream
                tube (60g) 2% of ketoconazole creamKetoconazole Coupon - Ketoconazole 60g of 2% tube of cream

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                References

                Best studies we found

                American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. (n.d.). Sulfite and sulfa drugs.

                Choi, F. D, et al. (2019). Topical ketoconazole: a systematic review of current dermatological applications and future developments. Journal of Dermatological Treatment.

                Encube Ethicals Private Limited. (2021). Ketoconazole- ketoconazole cream, 2% cream [package insert]. DailyMed.

                View All References (3)

                Tucker, D., et al. (2023). Seborrheic dermatitis. StatPearls.

                Tasman Pharma Inc. (2022). Ketoconazole cream, 2% cream [package insert]. DailyMed.

                U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2017). FDA drug safety communication: FDA limits usage of nizoral (ketoconazole) oral tablets due to potentially fatal liver injury and risk of drug interactions and adrenal gland problems.

                GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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