Return to Common Drugs Index
ketoconazole
Nizoral

Pregnancy Risk Category C

How supplied
Cream:
2%
Shampoo:
2%

Action
Unknown. An imidazole that probably inhibits yeast growth by altering the permeability of the cell membrane.

Indications & dosage
Tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea pedis, tinea versicolor due to susceptible organisms; seborrheic dermatitis; cutaneous candidiasis--

Adults:
cover affected and immediate surrounding area once daily for at least 2 weeks; for seborrheic dermatitis, apply b.i.d. for 4 weeks. Patients with tinea pedis need 6 weeks of treatment. When using shampoo, wet hair, lather, and massage for 1 minute. Rinse and repeat, but leave drug on scalp for 3 minutes before rinsing. Shampoo twice weekly for 4 weeks, with at least 3 days between shampoos and then intermittently, p.r.n., to maintain control.

Adverse reactions
Hepatic:
transient elevations in AST, ALT, and alkaline phosphatase levels.
Metabolic:
transient alterations in serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Skin:
severe irritation, pruritus, stinging with cream use; increase in normal hair loss, irritation, abnormal hair texture, scalp pustules, pruritus, oiliness or dryness of hair and scalp with shampoo use.

Interactions
Drug-drug.
Topical corticosteroids: may cause increased absorption of corticosteroid. Avoid concomitant use.

Effects on diagnostic tests
None reported.

Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to drug or its components.

Nursing considerations

Patient teaching

*Liquid contains alcohol. **May contain tartrazine.  †Canada  ‡Australia  §U.K.  OTCOver the counter
Reactions may be common, uncommon, life-threatening, or COMMON AND LIFE-THREATENING

Return to Common Drugs Index