Generic name: itraconazole [ IT-ra-KON-a-zole ]
Drug class: Azole antifungals

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Aug 15, 2023.

What is Sporanox?

Sporanox is an antifungal medication that fights infections caused by fungus.

Sporanox is used to treat infections in adults caused by fungus, which can invade any part of the body including the lungs, mouth or throat, toenails, or fingernails.

It is not known if Sporanox is safe and effective in children.

Warnings

You should not take Sporanox if you have ever had heart failure.

If you have liver or kidney disease, you should not take Sporanox with colchicine, fesoterodine, or solifenacin.

Itraconazole may harm an unborn baby. Avoid getting pregnant while taking itraconazole and for 2 months after your last dose.

Stop using Sporanox and call your doctor at once if you have signs of congestive heart failure: feeling tired or short of breath, cough with mucus, fast heartbeats, swelling, rapid weight gain, or sleep problems.

Life-threatening side effects may occur if you take itraconazole with certain other drugs. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using.

Many drugs can interact with itraconazole, and some drugs should not be used together. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Sporanox.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take Sporanox if you are allergic to itraconazole or similar medicines such as fluconazole or ketoconazole, or if you have ever had congestive heart failure.

Life-threatening side effects may occur if you take Sporanox with certain other drugs. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you have used other medicines in the past 2 weeks, especially:

• avanafil;

• cisapride;

• eliglustat;

• irinotecan;

• isavuconazonium;

• methadone;

• naloxegol;

• ranolazine;

• ticagrelor;

• lurasidone or pimozide (anti-psychotic medications);

• lomitapide, lovastatin, simvastatin (cholesterol-lowering medicines);

• dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, or methylergonovine (ergot medicines);

• eplerenone, felodipine, ivabradine, or nisoldipine (heart or blood pressure medicines);

• disopyramide, dofetilide, dronedarone, or quinidine (medicines for heart rhythm disorders); or

• oral midazolam, or triazolam (Valium-like sedatives).

If you have liver or kidney disease, you should not take Sporanox with colchicine, fesoterodine, solifenacin, or telithromycin.

Itraconazole may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 2 months after your last dose. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

To make sure Sporanox is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart problems;

• cystic fibrosis or other lung problems;

• liver or kidney disease; or

• a weak immune system.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using itraconazole. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Itraconazole can pass into breast milk and may affect the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

How should I take Sporanox?

Take Sporanox exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

The Sporanox capsule should be taken with food.

Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

Take the oral solution (liquid) on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Swish the liquid in your mouth for several seconds before swallowing it.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

The Sporanox PulsePak has a special dosing schedule that includes not taking the medicine for several days in a row. Follow all dosing instructions carefully.

Sporanox capsules should not be used in place of itraconazole oral solution (liquid) if that is what your doctor has prescribed. Avoid medication errors by using only the form and strength your doctor prescribes.

If you also take a stomach acid reducer (Tagamet, Pepcid, Axid, Zantac, and others), take Sporanox with an acidic drink such as non-diet cola.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Itraconazole will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

You may need frequent medical tests.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Related/similar drugs

ciprofloxacin, fluconazole, Augmentin, nystatin topical, nystatin, clotrimazole topical, clotrimazole, vancomycin, ketoconazole, ketoconazole topical

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What to avoid

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Avoid taking antacids within 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take Sporanox. Some antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb itraconazole.

Sporanox side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Sporanox: hives, severe skin rash, tingling in your arms or legs; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have signs of congestive heart failure: feeling tired or short of breath, cough with mucus, fast heartbeats, swelling, rapid weight gain, or sleep problems.

Keep taking Sporanox but call your doctor at once if you have:

• confusion, a light-headed feeling (like you might pass out);

• blurred vision, double vision, ringing in your ears, problems with hearing;

• fast heartbeats;

• numbness or tingly feeling, loss of bladder control;

• little or no urinating, pain or burning when you urinate;

• low potassium level - leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, muscle weakness or limp feeling;

• pancreatitis - severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting; or

• liver problems - nausea, upper stomach pain, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common Sporanox side effects may include:

• headache, dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness;

• increased blood pressure;

• rash, itching;

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation;

• swelling;

• abnormal liver function or blood tests;

• fever, muscle or joint pain;

• unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth;

• hair loss;

• impotence, erection problems; or

• changes in your menstrual periods.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Sporanox?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Many drugs can interact with itraconazole, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Sporanox only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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