Itraconazole interactions

Food & lifestyle

• cola

  Moderate

  Absorption

  Food increases the absorption of itraconazole capsules but decreases the absorption of itraconazole oral solution. Cola beverages may increase the bioavailability of itraconazole capsules. Itraconazole capsules require an acidic gastric pH for adequate dissolution and subsequent absorption. Cola beverages help lower gastric pH and improve absorption.

  What to do: The manufacturer recommends that the capsules be taken immediately after a full meal and the solution be taken on an empty stomach to ensure maximal absorption. Cola beverages may help increase the bioavailability of itraconazole capsules, particularly in patients with hypochlorhydria or those treated concomitantly with gastric acid suppressants. Until more information is available, it may be advisable to avoid the consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice during itraconazole therapy.

  10 sources

  1. Van Peer A, Woestenborghs R, Heykants J, et al. "The effects of food and dose on the oral systemic availability of itraconazole in healthy subjects." Eur J Clin Pharmacol 36 (1989): 423-6
  2. Wishart JM "The influence of food on the pharmacokinetics of itraconazole in patients with superficial fungal infection." J Am Acad Dermatol 17 (1987): 220-3
  3. "Product Information. Sporanox (itraconazole)." Janssen Pharmaceuticals (2002):
  4. Barone JA, Koh JG, Bierman RH, Colaizzi JL, Swanson KA, Gaffar MC, Moskovitz BL, Mechlinski W, Van de Velde V "Food interaction and steady-state pharmacokinetics of itraconazole capsules in healthy male volunteers." Antimicrob Agents Chemother 37 (1993): 778-84
  5. Zimmermann T, Yeates RA, Albrecht M, Laufen H, Wildfeuer A "Influence of concomitant food intake on the gastrointestinal absorption of fluconazole and itraconazole in japanese subjects." Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 14 (1994): 87-93
  6. "Product Information. Sporanox (itraconazole)." Janssen Pharmaceuticals (2022):
  7. Kawakami M, Suzuki K, Ishizuka T, Hidaka T, Matsuki Y, Nakamura H "Effect of grapefruit juice on pharmacokinetics of itraconazole in healthy subjects." Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 36 (1998): 306-8
  8. Barone JA, Moskotitz BL, Guarnieri J, Hassell AE, Colaizzi JL, Bierman RH, Jessen L "Food interaction and steady-state pharmacokinetics of itraconazole oral solution in healthy volunteers." Pharmacotherapy 18 (1998): 295-301

  Show all 10 sourcesShow fewer sources

  9. Penzak SR, Gubbins PO, Gurley BJ, Wang PL, Saccente M "Grapefruit juice decreases the systemic availability of itraconazole capsules in healthy volunteers." Ther Drug Monit 21 (1999): 304-9
  10. Katz HI "Drug interactions of the newer oral antifungal agents." Br J Dermatol 141 (1999): 26-32

• grapefruit juice

  Moderate

  Metabolism

  Food increases the absorption of itraconazole capsules but decreases the absorption of itraconazole oral solution. Cola beverages may increase the bioavailability of itraconazole capsules. Itraconazole capsules require an acidic gastric pH for adequate dissolution and subsequent absorption. Cola beverages help lower gastric pH and improve absorption.

  What to do: The manufacturer recommends that the capsules be taken immediately after a full meal and the solution be taken on an empty stomach to ensure maximal absorption. Cola beverages may help increase the bioavailability of itraconazole capsules, particularly in patients with hypochlorhydria or those treated concomitantly with gastric acid suppressants. Until more information is available, it may be advisable to avoid the consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice during itraconazole therapy.

  10 sources

  1. Van Peer A, Woestenborghs R, Heykants J, et al. "The effects of food and dose on the oral systemic availability of itraconazole in healthy subjects." Eur J Clin Pharmacol 36 (1989): 423-6
  2. Wishart JM "The influence of food on the pharmacokinetics of itraconazole in patients with superficial fungal infection." J Am Acad Dermatol 17 (1987): 220-3
  3. "Product Information. Sporanox (itraconazole)." Janssen Pharmaceuticals (2002):
  4. Barone JA, Koh JG, Bierman RH, Colaizzi JL, Swanson KA, Gaffar MC, Moskovitz BL, Mechlinski W, Van de Velde V "Food interaction and steady-state pharmacokinetics of itraconazole capsules in healthy male volunteers." Antimicrob Agents Chemother 37 (1993): 778-84
  5. Zimmermann T, Yeates RA, Albrecht M, Laufen H, Wildfeuer A "Influence of concomitant food intake on the gastrointestinal absorption of fluconazole and itraconazole in japanese subjects." Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 14 (1994): 87-93
  6. "Product Information. Sporanox (itraconazole)." Janssen Pharmaceuticals (2022):
  7. Kawakami M, Suzuki K, Ishizuka T, Hidaka T, Matsuki Y, Nakamura H "Effect of grapefruit juice on pharmacokinetics of itraconazole in healthy subjects." Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 36 (1998): 306-8
  8. Barone JA, Moskotitz BL, Guarnieri J, Hassell AE, Colaizzi JL, Bierman RH, Jessen L "Food interaction and steady-state pharmacokinetics of itraconazole oral solution in healthy volunteers." Pharmacotherapy 18 (1998): 295-301

  Show all 10 sourcesShow fewer sources

  9. Penzak SR, Gubbins PO, Gurley BJ, Wang PL, Saccente M "Grapefruit juice decreases the systemic availability of itraconazole capsules in healthy volunteers." Ther Drug Monit 21 (1999): 304-9
  10. Katz HI "Drug interactions of the newer oral antifungal agents." Br J Dermatol 141 (1999): 26-32

Conditions

Conditions in which Itraconazole needs care, as documented in this source.

• Heart Failure

  Major

  Itraconazole may possess a dose-related negative inotropic effect. Transient, asymptomatic decreases in left ventricular ejection fraction were observed with IV administration in healthy volunteers; these resolved before the next infusion. Additionally, cases of congestive heart failure (CHF), peripheral edema, and pulmonary edema have been reported during postmarketing experience in patients treated for onychomycosis and/or systemic fungal infections. Itraconazole should not be used to treat onychomycosis in patients with evidence of ventricular dysfunction such as CHF or history of CHF; itraconazole should not be used for other indications in such patients unless the benefit clearly outweighs the risk. The risks and benefits of itraconazole therapy should be reviewed carefully in patients with risk factors for CHF (including cardiac disease [e.g., ischemic and valvular disease], significant pulmonary disease [e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease], renal failure and other edematous disorders). Patients with risk factors for CHF should be advised of the signs/symptoms of CHF, treated with caution, and monitored for signs/symptoms of CHF during therapy.

  3 sources

  1. "Product Information. Sporanox (itraconazole)." Janssen Pharmaceuticals (2002):
  2. "Product Information. Sporanox (itraconazole)." Janssen Pharmaceuticals (2022):
  3. "Product Information. Tolsura (itraconazole)." Mayne Pharma Inc (2021):

• Liver Diseases

  Major

  Limited data are available on the use of oral itraconazole in patients with liver dysfunction. Itraconazole has been associated with rare cases of serious hepatotoxicity (including liver failure and death). Caution is recommended when this drug is used in patients with liver dysfunction; such patients should be carefully monitored during therapy. Treatment with itraconazole is strongly discouraged in patients with elevated or abnormal liver enzymes, with active liver disease, or who had liver toxicity with other drugs unless the situation is serious or life-threatening and the expected benefit exceeds the risk. Liver function monitoring is recommended for patients with preexisting hepatic function abnormalities or those who had liver toxicity with other drugs.

  3 sources

  1. "Product Information. Sporanox (itraconazole)." Janssen Pharmaceuticals (2002):
  2. "Product Information. Sporanox (itraconazole)." Janssen Pharmaceuticals (2022):
  3. "Product Information. Tolsura (itraconazole)." Mayne Pharma Inc (2021):

• Achlorhydria

  Moderate

  Itraconazole 100-mg capsules should be administered after a full meal. Under fasted conditions, absorption of itraconazole from the 100-mg capsule formulation was diminished with decreased gastric acidity. Studies conducted under fasted conditions showed that taking the 100-mg capsule formulation with 8 ounces of a non-diet cola beverage enhanced absorption of itraconazole in AIDS patients with relative or absolute achlorhydria; this increase relative to the effects of a full meal is unknown.

  1 source

  1. "Product Information. Sporanox (itraconazole)." Janssen Pharmaceuticals (2002):

• Cystic Fibrosis

  Moderate

  In a study using itraconazole oral solution in cystic fibrosis patients, therapeutic drug levels varied and were not reached in some patients. Alternative therapy should be considered for patients who do not respond to itraconazole oral solution or itraconazole 100-mg capsules.

  2 sources

  1. "Product Information. Sporanox (itraconazole)." Janssen Pharmaceuticals (2002):
  2. "Product Information. Sporanox (itraconazole)." Janssen Pharmaceuticals (2022):

• Immune Deficiency Disease

  Moderate

  The oral bioavailability of itraconazole 100-mg capsules may be decreased in some immunocompromised patients (e.g., neutropenic patients, AIDS patients, organ transplant recipients); in addition, since hypochlorhydria has been reported in HIV-infected patients, the absorption of itraconazole may be reduced in these patients. The dose of itraconazole 100-mg capsules should be adjusted based on the clinical response of such patients.Itraconazole oral solution is not recommended for initial treatment in severely neutropenic patients at immediate risk of systemic candidiasis.

  2 sources

  1. "Product Information. Sporanox (itraconazole)." Janssen Pharmaceuticals (2002):
  2. "Product Information. Sporanox (itraconazole)." Janssen Pharmaceuticals (2022):

• Kidney Diseases

  Moderate

  Limited data are available on the use of oral itraconazole in patients with renal dysfunction; itraconazole exposure may be lower in some of these patients. Caution is advised when using itraconazole in patients with renal dysfunction and dose adjustment may be needed. Patients with renal dysfunction should be carefully monitored when using the 65-mg capsule formulation.

  3 sources

  1. "Product Information. Sporanox (itraconazole)." Janssen Pharmaceuticals (2002):
  2. "Product Information. Sporanox (itraconazole)." Janssen Pharmaceuticals (2022):
  3. "Product Information. Tolsura (itraconazole)." Mayne Pharma Inc (2021):

• Long QT Syndrome

  Moderate

  Some azole antifungals have been associated with prolongation of the QT interval on the ECG. Rare cases of QT prolongation and torsade de pointes have been reported during postmarketing experience; such reports usually involved seriously ill patients with multiple confounding risk factors, such as structural heart disease, electrolyte abnormalities, and concomitant medications. These drugs should be administered with caution to patients with potentially proarrhythmic conditions. Concomitant use with other medications that have potential to increase the risk of cardiotoxicity should be avoided.

  7 sources

  1. "Product Information. Nizoral (ketoconazole)." Janssen Pharmaceuticals (2001):
  2. "Product Information. Diflucan (fluconazole)." Roerig Division (2002):
  3. "Product Information. Sporanox (itraconazole)." Janssen Pharmaceuticals (2002):
  4. "Product Information. Sporanox (itraconazole)." Janssen Pharmaceuticals (2022):
  5. "Product Information. VFEND (voriconazole)." Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals (2002):
  6. "Product Information. Noxafil (posaconazole)." Schering-Plough Corporation (2006):
  7. "Product Information. Tolsura (itraconazole)." Mayne Pharma Inc (2021):