itraconazole oral solution
Itraconazole oral solution, also known by its brand name Sporanox, is an azole antifungal used to treat adults with fungal infections in the mouth and throat (oral thrush) and esophagus. You typically swish and swallow the dose once or twice a day on an empty stomach. Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution isn't a first-choice treatment option because it can interact with many other medications. It also has rare but serious side effects like heart failure, liver problems, and hearing loss.
What is Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution?
What is Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution used for?
- Fungal infections in the mouth and throat (oral thrush)
- Fungal infections in the esophagus
How Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution works
Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution is an azole antifungal. It works by stopping the fungus from building its protective covering, which stops it from growing and surviving.
Drug facts
Side effects of Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution
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
- Nausea (11%)
- Diarrhea (11%)
- Vomiting (7%)
- Fever (7%)
- Stomach pain (6%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Rash
- Constipation
- Tiredness
- Coughing
- Dizziness
- Sweating
- Headache
- Trouble breathing
- Chest pain
Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Congestive heart failure (CHF): trouble breathing, swelling in the arms and legs, sudden weight gain, tiredness, dizziness, lightheadedness, feeling your heart beat very fast
- Abnormal heart rhythm: dizziness, feeling faint, lightheaded, feeling your heart beating fast
- Liver damage: nausea, vomiting, unusual tiredness, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice), dark-colored urine, pale-colored stools
- Hearing loss: muffled hearing, difficulty understanding speech
The following Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution 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:
More common
Decreased urine output
increased thirst
irregular heartbeat
loss of appetite
mood changes
muscle pain or cramps
numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
seizures
trouble breathing
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Less common
Blurred vision
chills
clay-colored stools
cloudy urine
cold sweats
confusion
dark urine
decrease in urine-concentrating ability
dizziness
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
drowsiness
feeling unusually cold
headache
itching, skin rash
light-colored stools
mental changes
muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
muscle spasms (tetany) or twitching
nervousness
noisy, rattling breathing
numbness and tingling around the mouth or fingertips
pounding in the ears
shivering
slow, fast, or pounding heartbeat or pulse
stomach cramps or pain
sweating
swelling of the fingers, hands, feet, or lower legs
tightness in the chest
trembling
troubled breathing at rest
unpleasant breath odor
vomiting of blood
yellow eyes or skin
Rare
Black, tarry stools
bleeding gums
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
blood in the urine or stools
blue lips and fingernails
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, painful, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
cracks in the skin
decreased appetite
difficulty with swallowing
dilated neck veins
disturbed color perception
double vision
extreme tiredness or weakness
fast or irregular breathing
feeling of discomfort
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
halos around lights
hearing loss
hives or welts
inflammation of the joints
joint pain
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
loss of heat from the body
loss of vision
lower back or side pain
night blindness
overbright appearance of lights
painful or difficult urination
pale skin
pinpoint red spots on the skin
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
rapid weight gain
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
red, swollen skin
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
stomach pain, continuing
stomach tenderness
swollen lymph glands
tunnel vision
unsteadiness or awkwardness
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual weight gain or loss
upper right abdominal or stomach pain
weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
Incidence not known
difficult, fast, noisy breathing
indigestion
loss of bladder control
pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
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
Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
difficulty having a bowel movement
difficulty with moving
discouragement
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
feeling sad or empty
inability to have or keep an erection
irritability
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
loss of interest or pleasure
muscle aching or stiffness
pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
passing of gas
sensation of spinning
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
soreness of the skin
stomach fullness or discomfort
stuffy or runny nose
trouble concentrating
trouble sleeping
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.
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Pros and cons of Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution
Pros
- Taken once to twice per day
- Directly treats the infected areas
- Good option for people who can't swallow pills
Cons
- Not a first-choice treatment option
- Commonly causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Interacts with many medications
Pharmacist tips for Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution
- It's best if Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution is taken on an empty stomach without food. Food reduces how much of the medication your body absorbs, which might make it work less well.
- Swish Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution in your mouth for several seconds before swallowing. Use about 10 mL (2 teaspoonfuls) at a time.
- Follow your prescriber’s instructions and finish your entire course of Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution, even if you feel better. Stopping early might cause the infection to return and become harder to treat.
- Let your prescriber know if you have heart failure. Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution can cause or worsen heart failure. If you start to have trouble breathing, swelling in the arms and legs, sudden weight gain, tiredness, or dizziness, stop taking the medication and contact your prescriber right away.
- Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution can cause vision changes, such as blurry or double vision, and might also cause confusion or drowsiness. Don't drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
- Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution interacts with several medications. Make sure to tell your care team about all of the medications you take before and during treatment.
- Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution can cause liver problems. Stop taking the medication right away and contact your prescriber if you notice symptoms such as unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine, or pale stools.
- Be aware that hearing loss can happen while taking Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution. In most cases, hearing improves after stopping the medication, but it might remain for some people. Stop taking Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution and contact your prescriber if you notice any hearing loss.
- Avoid Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution during pregnancy, since it can cause severe development problems in babies. If you can get pregnant, use birth control while taking Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution and for at least 2 months after treatment.
- Tell your prescriber if you're breastfeeding. There aren't any studies to know if Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution is safe while nursing. It's often recommended to take another medication or to stop breastfeeding and use formula.
Common questions about Itraconazole
No, Sporanox isn't an antibiotic; it's an antifungal. Antibiotics treat infections caused by bacteria, whereas antifungals treat infections caused by fungi.
Yes, Sporanox is a strong inhibitor CYP3A4, an enzyme (protein) that breaks down many medications. This can cause other medications to build up to unsafe levels, raising your risk for serious side effects. Because of this, [Sporanox interacts with many medications, including dronedarone, triazolam, felodipine, and simvastatin. Be sure to tell your care team about all the medications you’re taking to make sure they are safe to use together.
It depends on your infection. Oral thrush usually clears up within a few days of starting Sporanox. If the infection didn’t respond to fluconazole, it can take about 2 to 4 weeks to see an improvement. For fungal infections in the esophagus, it typically takes at least 3 weeks. Talk to your prescriber if you're concerned with how well Sporanox is working for you.
In general, you'll take Sporanox for oral thrush for 1 to 2 weeks. If fluconazole didn't work and you're switched to Sporanox, treatment can last 2 to 4 weeks, but could go up to 6 months. For fungal infections in the esophagus, treatment typically lasts at least 5 weeks. Your prescriber will decide how long you need to take Sporanox based on how well it’s working and how severe your infection is. Be sure to take it exactly as prescribed, and ask your prescriber if you’re unsure how long to use it.
It takes about 3 to 6 days for most of Sporanox to leave your body after a single dose. But it can stay in your system for up to 6 to 9 days as you continue to take the medication. This timeframe is based on the half-life of the medication. Talk with your healthcare team if you have concerns about how long Sporanox might stay in your body.
No, Sporanox isn't available over the counter. It's only available by prescription from a healthcare professional.
The Sporanox is a liquid approved to treat oral thrush and fungal infections in the esophagus. The capsules, on the other hand, are approved for treating serious fungal infections throughout the body and fungal nail infections. In addition, Sporanox is taken on an empty stomach, whereas the capsules are taken with food. Lastly, both forms contain different amounts of itraconazole, so they're not interchangeable. Talk to your prescriber if you have questions about the differences between these medications.
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Risks and warnings for Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution
Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution 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.
Heart failure
- Risk factors: History of heart failure or other heart problems | History of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) | Kidney problems | Other conditions that cause swelling in the body | Taking calcium channel blockers
Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution can cause heart failure. Your risk is higher if you have other heart problems, COPD, kidney problems, or other medical conditions that cause swelling. Make sure your prescriber knows about all of your medical conditions before you start Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution. Get medical help if you develop heart failure symptoms such as trouble breathing, feeling more tired than usual, swelling in your arms or legs, sudden weight gain, or a fast heart rate.
Abnormal heart rhythm
- Risk factors: Taking other medications that cause heart rhythm problems
Life-threatening heart rhythm problems have happened in people taking Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution together with medications like cisapride, pimozide, methadone, or quinidine. If you feel your chest pounding, have trouble breathing, have chest pain, or feel faint or lightheaded while taking Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution, call 911 right away.
Interactions with other medications
Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution is known to interact with many medications, including certain vitamins and herbal products. Some of these interactions can be dangerous or life-threatening.
Taking Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution with other medications can cause too much of either Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution or the other medication to build up in your body, which can raise your risk for serious side effects. On the other hand, Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution can also reduce the absorption of other medications, making them work less well.
Be sure to tell both your prescriber and pharmacist about all medications and over-the-counter (OTC) products you're taking before you start Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution, even if you only take them once in a while or as needed.
Liver damage
- Risk factors: History of liver problems | History of developing liver problems from other medications | Abnormal liver blood test results
Rarely, Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution can cause serious liver problems, including in the first week of treatment. Your prescriber might check your liver labs while you’re taking this medication. Stop taking Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution if you notice signs of liver problems, such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, or unusual tiredness.
Hearing loss
- Risk factors: Also taking quinidine | Older adults
Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution can cause hearing loss in some people. It usually gets better after you stop taking the medication, but for some people it can be permanent. Contact your prescriber right away if you notice trouble hearing after starting the medication. Let your care team know if you're taking quinidine because it shouldn't be taken with Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution due to a higher risk of hearing loss.
Nerve damage
If you have nerve problems like tingling sensations, reduced feeling, tremors, or other signs of nerve damage while taking Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution, stop taking the medication and call your prescriber.
Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution dosage
Bottle of oral solution| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150ml of 10mg/ml | 1 bottle | $95.22 | $95.22 |
Typical dosage for Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution
- Oral thrush: The typical dose is 200 mg (20 mL) by mouth once a day on an empty stomach for 1 to 2 weeks.
- Oral thrush that didn’t get better with fluconazole: The typical dose is 100 mg (10 mL) by mouth twice a day on an empty stomach for 2 to 4 weeks.
- Fungal infections in the esophagus: The typical dose is 100mg (10 mL) by mouth once a day on an empty stomach for at least 3 weeks. Treatment should continue for 2 weeks after symptoms go away. Your prescriber might raise the dose to 200 mg (20 mL) once a day based on how well the medication is working for you.
Interactions between Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution and other drugs
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. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Alfuzosin
- Alprazolam
- Astemizole
- Avanafil
- Bepridil
- Cisapride
- Colchicine
- Conivaptan
- Dabigatran Etexilate
- Dihydroergotamine
- Disopyramide
- Dofetilide
- Dronedarone
- Eletriptan
- Eliglustat
- Eplerenone
- Ergonovine
- Ergotamine
- Felodipine
- Flibanserin
- Fluconazole
- Irinotecan
- Irinotecan Liposome
- Isavuconazonium Sulfate
- Ivabradine
- Levomethadyl
- Lomitapide
- Lovastatin
- Lurasidone
- Maraviroc
- Mesoridazine
- Methadone
- Methylergonovine
- Methysergide
- Midazolam
- Naloxegol
- Nelfinavir
- Nisoldipine
- Pimozide
- Piperaquine
- Posaconazole
- Quinidine
- Ranolazine
- Silodosin
- Simvastatin
- Solifenacin
- Sparfloxacin
- Telithromycin
- Terfenadine
- Thioridazine
- Ticagrelor
- Tolvaptan
- Triazolam
- Ubrogepant
- Venetoclax
- Voclosporin
- Ziprasidone
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Abametapir
- Acalabrutinib
- Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine
- Afatinib
- Alfentanil
- Aliskiren
- Amiodarone
- Amisulpride
- Anagrelide
- Apalutamide
- Apixaban
- Apomorphine
- Aprepitant
- Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole Lauroxil
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Atorvastatin
- Avapritinib
- Axitinib
- Bedaquiline
- Benzhydrocodone
- Berotralstat
- Betrixaban
- Boceprevir
- Bosutinib
- Bretylium
- Brexpiprazole
- Brigatinib
- Bromocriptine
- Buprenorphine
- Buserelin
- Cabazitaxel
- Cabozantinib
- Calcifediol
- Carbamazepine
- Cariprazine
- Ceritinib
- Chloroquine
- Cilostazol
- Citalopram
- Clarithromycin
- Clofazimine
- Clozapine
- Cobicistat
- Cobimetinib
- Codeine
- Copanlisib
- Crizotinib
- Cyclosporine
- Dabrafenib
- Daclatasvir
- Darifenacin
- Dasatinib
- Deflazacort
- Degarelix
- Delamanid
- Deslorelin
- Deutetrabenazine
- Dexamethasone
- Digoxin
- Dihydrocodeine
- Docetaxel
- Domperidone
- Donepezil
- Doxorubicin
- Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
- Duvelisib
- Edoxaban
- Efavirenz
- Elagolix
- Elbasvir
- Elexacaftor
- Elvitegravir
- Encorafenib
- Entrectinib
- Erlotinib
- Escitalopram
- Eszopiclone
- Everolimus
- Fedratinib
- Fentanyl
- Fingolimod
- Fluoxetine
- Fluticasone
- Formoterol
- Fosaprepitant
- Foscarnet
- Fosnetupitant
- Fosphenytoin
- Fostemsavir
- Glasdegib
- Gonadorelin
- Goserelin
- Grazoprevir
- Halofantrine
- Haloperidol
- Histrelin
- Hydrocodone
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Hydroxyzine
- Ibrutinib
- Ibutilide
- Idelalisib
- Iloperidone
- Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
- Istradefylline
- Ivacaftor
- Ivosidenib
- Ixabepilone
- Lapatinib
- Larotrectinib
- Lefamulin
- Lemborexant
- Lenvatinib
- Levofloxacin
- Levomilnacipran
- Lofexidine
- Lorlatinib
- Lumacaftor
- Lumateperone
- Lurbinectedin
- Macimorelin
- Macitentan
- Manidipine
- Meperidine
- Metronidazole
- Midostaurin
- Mifepristone
- Mirtazapine
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Moxifloxacin
- Nafarelin
- Neratinib
- Netupitant
- Nevirapine
- Nifedipine
- Nilotinib
- Olaparib
- Ondansetron
- Osilodrostat
- Osimertinib
- Oxaliplatin
- Oxycodone
- Ozanimod
- Palbociclib
- Panobinostat
- Pasireotide
- Pazopanib
- Pemigatinib
- Pentazocine
- Pexidartinib
- Phenytoin
- Pimavanserin
- Pitolisant
- Pixantrone
- Ponatinib
- Ponesimod
- Pralsetinib
- Quetiapine
- Reboxetine
- Regorafenib
- Relugolix
- Repaglinide
- Retapamulin
- Ribociclib
- Rifabutin
- Rifampin
- Rimegepant
- Riociguat
- Risperidone
- Rivaroxaban
- Romidepsin
- Ruxolitinib
- Salmeterol
- Selpercatinib
- Selumetinib
- Sertraline
- Sevoflurane
- Sildenafil
- Simeprevir
- Siponimod
- Sirolimus
- Sonidegib
- Sotalol
- St John's Wort
- Sufentanil
- Sulpiride
- Sunitinib
- Suvorexant
- Tacrolimus
- Tadalafil
- Talazoparib
- Tamsulosin
- Tazemetostat
- Temsirolimus
- Tezacaftor
- Thiotepa
- Topotecan
- Toremifene
- Trabectedin
- Tramadol
- Trazodone
- Triclabendazole
- Triptorelin
- Valbenazine
- Vandetanib
- Vardenafil
- Vemurafenib
- Venlafaxine
- Vilanterol
- Vilazodone
- Vinblastine
- Vincristine
- Vincristine Sulfate Liposome
- Vinflunine
- Vinorelbine
- Vorapaxar
- Voxelotor
- Warfarin
- Zanubrutinib
- Zolpidem
- Zuclopenthixol
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acenocoumarol
- Anisindione
- Buspirone
- Busulfan
- Ciprofloxacin
- Dicumarol
- Didanosine
- Indinavir
- Meloxicam
- Micafungin
- Phenprocoumon
- Ritonavir
- Rosuvastatin
- Saquinavir
- Tolterodine
How much does Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution cost?
Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution will not be safe for you to take.
- Heart failure
- Taking certain medications that interact with Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution
- Taking medications that can lead to QT prolongation (e.g., dofetilide (Tikosyn), quinidine, pimozide (Orap), methadone (Methadose), disopyramide (Norpace), Multaq (dronedarone), and ranolazine (Ranexa))
- Taking dihydroergotamine or ergotamine
- People with kidney or liver problems taking colchicine (Colcrys), fesoterodine (Toviaz), or solifenacin (Vesicare)
What are alternatives to Itraconazole (Sporanox) oral solution?
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