Nizoral cream (ketoconazole)

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How does it work?

Nizoral cream contains the active ingredient ketoconazole, which is a type of medicine called an antifungal. It is used to treat infections with fungi and yeasts.

Ketoconazole kills fungi and yeasts by interfering with their cell membranes. It works by stopping the fungi from producing a substance called ergosterol, which is an essential component of fungal cell membranes. The disruption in production of ergosterol disrupts the fungal cell membrane, causing holes to appear in it.

The cell membranes of fungi are vital for their survival. They keep unwanted substances from entering the cells and stop the contents of the cells from leaking out. As ketoconazole causes holes to appear in the cell membranes, essential constituents of the fungal cells can leak out. This kills the fungi and treats the infection.

Ketoconazole cream may be prescribed to treat a number of different types of fungal and yeast infections. These include ringworm, athlete’s foot, jock itch, thrush infections of the skin and vagina (candidosis), and skin conditions that are caused by infection with the yeast Pityrosporum, such as seborrheic dermatitis and pityriasis versicolor.

To treat athlete’s foot the cream should be applied to the affected areas twice a day, usually for a week for mild cases. More severe or extensive cases may take longer to clear up.

To treat other skin infections the cream should be applied to the affected area(s) of skin once or twice a day, as directed by your doctor. The length of treatment will depend on the type and severity of the infection. You should keep using the cream for a few days after your symptoms have gone away, to make sure the infection has been fully treated. If there is no improvement in your symptoms after four weeks of treatment you should consult your doctor for advice.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for further advice on treating your particular infection.

What is it used for?

- Fungal infections of the skin, such as ringworm, jock itch (tinea cruris) or athlete's foot (tinea pedis).
- Inflammatory skin condition with greasy, red and scaly areas (seborrhoeic dermatitis).
- Fungal skin condition called pityriasis versicolor.
- Candida infections of the skin
- Relieving the external symptoms (candidal vulvitis) of vaginal thrush. (This cream should be used in combination with another medicine that treats the infection inside your vagina - ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice about which products to use.)

Warning!

- This medicine is for external use only. It should not be taken by or used inside the mouth. Avoid contact with the eyes.
- Wash and dry the skin thoroughly before applying the cream. Unless the infected skin is on your hands, wash your hands after applying the cream to avoid spreading the infection to other areas of the body, or to other people.
- It is important to keep using this medicine for two or three days after the symptoms of the infection have cleared up. This is to ensure that the infection is fully treated and thus prevent it coming back.
- If symptoms persist consult your doctor.

Not to be used in

- Known sensitivity or allergy to any of the ingredients.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

- This medicine is not absorbed into the bloodstream from the skin and thus should not be harmful if used during pregnancy. However, as with all medicines, you should seek medical advice from your doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant.
- This medicine is not absorbed into the bloodstream from the skin and can be safely used during breastfeeding. However, avoid applying the cream on or near the breasts before feeding to prevent the nursing infant accidentally ingesting it. Seek further medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

- Burning sensation.
- Irritation of the skin.
- Rash.
- Allergic skin reactions such as contact dermatitis.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

This medicine is not absorbed into the bloodstream and does not affect other medicines.

If you have seborrheic dermatitis and you have previously been using a potent corticosteroid to treat the condition, you should wait two weeks before using this cream, because it may make your skin more sensitive to the steroid.

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