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Onmel (Oral)

Generic name: itraconazoleit-ra-KON-a-zole ]
Brand names: Onmel, Sporanox
Drug class: Azole antifungals

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 27, 2024.

Oral route(Capsule)

Congestive Heart Failure, Cardiac Effects and Drug Interactions

Sporanox(R)Itraconazole capsules should not be administered for the treatment of onychomycosis in patients with evidence of ventricular dysfunction such as congestive heart failure (CHF) or a history of CHF. If signs or symptoms of congestive heart failure occur during administration of itraconazole capsules, discontinue administration. When itraconazole was administered intravenously to dogs and healthy human volunteers, negative inotropic effects were seen.

Drug Interactions: Coadministration of the following drugs are contraindicated with itraconazole oral capsules: Methadone, disopyramide, dofetilide, dronedarone, quinidine, isavuconazole, ergot alkaloids (such as dihydroergotamine, ergometrine (ergonovine), ergotamine, methylergometrine (methylergonovine)), irinotecan, lurasidone, oral midazolam, pimozide, triazolam, felodipine, nisoldipine, ivabradine, ranolazine, eplerenone, cisapride, naloxegol, lomitapide, lovastatin, simvastatin, avanafil, ticagrelor, finerenone, voclosporin. In addition, coadministration with colchicine, fesoterodine and solifenacin is contraindicated in subjects with varying degrees of renal or hepatic impairment, and coadministration with eliglustat is contraindicated in subjects that are poor or intermediate metabolizers of CYP2D6 and in subjects taking strong or moderate CYP2D6 inhibitors. Coadministration with venetoclax is contraindicated in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) during the dose initiation and ramp-up phase of venetoclax. Coadministration with itraconazole can cause elevated plasma concentrations of these drugs and may increase or prolong both the pharmacologic effects and/or adverse reactions to these drugs. For example, increased plasma concentrations of some of these drugs can lead to QT prolongation and ventricular tachyarrhythmias including occurrences of torsades de pointes, a potentially fatal arrhythmia .

Oral route(Capsule)

Warning: Congestive Heart Failure and Drug Interactions

Tolsura(TM)Congestive Heart Failure:

Itraconazole can cause or exacerbate congestive heart failure (CHF). When itraconazole was administered intravenously to healthy human volunteers and dogs, negative inotropic effects were seen. If signs or symptoms of congestive heart failure occur or worsen during administration of itraconazole, reassess the benefit and risk of continuing treatment.

Drug Interactions:

Coadministration of certain drugs that are metabolized by human CYP3A4 enzymes are contraindicated with itraconazole because plasma concentrations of such drugs are increased, which may also increase or prolong both the pharmacologic effects and/or adverse reactions to these drugs.

Coadministration with colchicine, fesoterodine, and solifenacin is contraindicated in subjects with varying degrees of renal or hepatic impairment, and coadministration with eliglustat is contraindicated in subjects that are poor or intermediate metabolizers of CYP2D6 and in subjects taking strong or moderate CYP2D6 inhibitors.

Increased plasma concentrations of some of these drugs can lead to QT prolongation and/or ventricular tachyarrhythmias, including occurrences of torsades de pointes, a potentially fatal arrhythmia .

Oral route(Solution)

Congestive Heart Failure, Cardiac Effects and Drug Interactions: If signs or symptoms of congestive heart failure occur during administration of itraconazole oral solution, continued itraconazole use should be reassessed. When itraconazole was administered intravenously to dogs and healthy human volunteers, negative inotropic effects were seen.

Drug Interactions: Coadministration of the following drugs are contraindicated with itraconazole oral solution: Methadone, disopyramide, dofetilide, dronedarone, quinidine, isavuconazole, ergot alkaloids (such as dihydroergotamine, ergometrine (ergonovine), ergotamine, methylergometrine (methylergonovine)), irinotecan, lurasidone, oral midazolam, pimozide, triazolam, felodipine, nisoldipine, ivabradine, ranolazine, eplerenone, cisapride, naloxegol, lomitapide, lovastatin, simvastatin, avanafil, ticagrelor, finerenone, voclosporin. In addition, coadministration with colchicine, fesoterodine and solifenacin is contraindicated in subjects with varying degrees of renal or hepatic impairment, and coadministration with eliglustat is contraindicated in subjects that are poor or intermediate metabolizers of CYP2D6 and in subjects taking strong or moderate CYP2D6 inhibitors. Coadministration with venetoclax is contraindicated in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) during the dose initiation and ramp-up phase of venetoclax. Coadministration with itraconazole can cause elevated plasma concentrations of these drugs and may increase or prolong both the pharmacologic effects and/or adverse reactions to these drugs. For example, increased plasma concentrations of some of these drugs can lead to QT prolongation and ventricular tachyarrhythmias including occurrences of torsades de pointes, a potentially fatal arrhythmia .

Oral route(Tablet)

Do not use itraconazole to treat onychomycosis in patients with ventricular dysfunction (eg, congestive heart failure). If signs or symptoms of congestive heart failure occur, continued use should be reassessed. Itraconazole is contraindicated in patients concomitantly taking cisapride, pimozide, quinidine, dofetilide, levacetylmethadol (levomethadyl), felodipine, oral midazolam, nisoldipine, triazolam, lovastatin, simvastatin, ergot alkaloids such as dihydroergotamine, ergometrine (ergonovine), ergotamine and methylergometrine (methylergonovine), or methadone. Concomitant administration can cause the plasma levels of the concomitant drug to increase. Serious cardiovascular events have been reported in patients taking cisapride, pimozide, levacetylmethadol (levomethadyl), methadone, or quinidine concomitantly with itraconazole or other CYP3A4 inhibitors .

Uses for Onmel

Itraconazole is used to treat serious fungal or yeast infections. Itraconazole oral solution is only used to treat oropharyngeal or esophageal candidiasis (thrush, oral thrush). Itraconazole capsule is used to treat fungal infections, such as aspergillosis (fungal infection in the lungs), blastomycosis (Gilchrist’s disease), or histoplasmosis (Darling’s disease). Sporanox® capsule is also used to treat onychomycosis (fungal infection in the fingernails or toenails). Itraconazole tablet is only used to treat onychomycosis of the toenails. This medicine works by killing the fungus or yeast and preventing its growth.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using Onmel

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of itraconazole have not been performed in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of itraconazole in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have temporary or permanent hearing loss or age-related kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving itraconazole.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

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.

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.

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.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. 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 may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Proper use of Onmel

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon.

Itraconazole capsules and tablets should be taken with a full meal. The oral liquid is best taken on an empty stomach.

Take the tablets at the same time each day.

Measure the oral liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you have thrush in the mouth or throat, place 10 milliliters (mL) of the liquid in your mouth, swish for several seconds, then swallow. Repeat these steps if your total dose is more than 10 mL.

If you are using antacids (eg, Maalox®, Mylanta®, Pepcid® Complete, Rolaids®, or Tums®) or other stomach medicine (eg, H2 blocker, proton pump inhibitor), take them at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after using itraconazole. You may also take itraconazole with an acidic beverage (eg, non-diet cola) if you are taking it with an antacid.

Use only the brand and the dosage form of this medicine that your doctor prescribed. Different brands and dosage forms may not work the same way.

Sporanox® oral liquid works differently than itraconazole Sporanox® capsules, even at the same dose (number of milligrams). Do not switch from the capsules to the oral liquid unless your doctor tells you to.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

Missed Dose

Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

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

Precautions while using Onmel

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

If your symptoms do not improve, or if they become worse, check with your doctor. You may need to take this medicine for several weeks or months before your infection gets better.

Do not use avanafil (Stendra™), cisapride (Propulsid®), disopyramide (Norpace®), dofetilide (Tikosyn®), dronedarone (Multaq®), eliglustat (Cerdelga™), eplerenone (Inspra®), felodipine (Plendil®), finerenone (Kerendia®), irinotecan (Camptosar®), isavuconazole (Cresemba®), ivabradine (Corlanor®), levomethadyl (Orlaam®), lomitapide (Juxtapid™), lurasidone (Latuda®), methadone (Dolophine®), naloxegol (Movantik®), nisoldipine (Sular®), oral midazolam (Versed®), pimozide (Orap®), quinidine (Cardioquin®, Quinaglute®), ranolazine (Ranexa®), ticagrelor (Brilinta®), triazolam (Halcion®), venetoclax (Venclexta®), voclosporin (Lupkynis®), an ergot medicine (eg, dihydroergotamine, ergometrine, ergotamine, methylergometrine, Cafergot®, Ergomar®, Wigraine®), or certain medicines to lower cholesterol (eg, lovastatin, simvastatin, Mevacor®, Zocor®) during and 2 weeks after treatment with itraconazole. Do not use colchicine (Colcrys®), fesoterodine (Toviaz®), solifenacin (Vesicare®), or telithromycin (Ketek®) during and 2 weeks after treatment with itraconazole, if you have kidney or liver disease. Using these medicines together may increase your risk for serious side effects.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant before you start using this medicine for a fingernail or toenail infection. The capsule or tablet should not be used to treat onychomycosis in pregnant women or those who are planning to get pregnant. Use a highly effective form of birth control while you are using this medicine and for 2 months after your last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Check with your doctor right away if you are having chest pain or tightness, decreased urine output, dilated neck veins, extreme fatigue, irregular breathing, an irregular heartbeat, swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, trouble breathing, or weight gain. These could be symptoms of a side effect called congestive heart failure.

Rarely, this medicine may cause severe liver problems. Check with your doctor right away if you have stomach pain or tenderness, clay-colored stools, dark urine, decreased appetite, fever, headache, itching, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, skin rash, swelling of the feet or lower legs, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellow eyes or skin.

This medicine may cause nerve problems. Call your doctor right away if your skin feels like it is burning, crawling, itching, or if you have numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or a tingling feeling after using itraconazole.

Temporary or permanent hearing loss may occur while you are using this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have any changes in your hearing.

This medicine may make you feel dizzy or have blurred or double vision. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects of Onmel

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

Less common

Rare

Incidence not known

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

Rare

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.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

Available Dosage Forms:

Therapeutic Class: Antifungal

Chemical Class: Triazole

Frequently asked questions

Further information

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