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Extina Foam (Generic Ketoconazole Topical)

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Why is this medication prescribed?

Tinea versicolor, a fungal skin infection that causes brown or light-colored spots on the chest, back, arms, legs, or neck, and yeast infections of the thigh are all conditions that are treated with ketoconazole cream. The treatment for tinea versicolor is prescription ketoconazole shampoo. Over-the-counter Shampoo containing ketoconazole is intended to manage dandruff-related scalp flaking, scaling, and irritation. Ketoconazole belongs to the imidazole class of antifungal drugs. It functions by inhibiting the development of infection-causing fungus.

How should this medicine be used?

Ketoconazole is a prescription medication that can be applied topically as a cream or shampoo. Ketoconazole is sold without a prescription and is applied to the scalp as a shampoo. For two to six weeks, ketoconazole cream is typically administered once daily. To treat the infection, prescription ketoconazole shampoo is often applied only once. To control dandruff, over-the-counter ketoconazole shampoo is often applied every three to four days for up to eight weeks, and then as required after that. Ask your doctor or chemist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Apply ketoconazole precisely as recommended. Use it only as directed by your doctor, neither more nor less often.

Your tinea versicolor infection may be successfully treated with just one application of prescription ketoconazole shampoo. Your skin’s colour may not return to normal for several months, especially if your skin is exposed to sunlight. There is a possibility that you will have another tinea versicolor infection after your infection has been treated.

Throughout the first two to four weeks of treatment with over-the-counter ketoconazole shampoo for dandruff, your symptoms ought to become better. If your symptoms don’t get better during this time or if they worsen at any point while you’re receiving therapy, call your doctor.

At the start of your treatment, if you are using ketoconazole cream, your symptoms should become better. Even if you feel well, keep applying the ketoconazole cream. Your infection could not be entirely treated if you stop taking ketoconazole cream too soon, and your symptoms might come back.

Only the skin or scalp should be treated with ketoconazole cream or shampoo. Avoid getting ketoconazole in your eyes or mouth, and avoid swallowing the drug. If you do accidentally get ketoconazole lotion or shampoo in your eyes, thoroughly rinse them out.

Apply enough cream to the affected area and the surrounding skin to utilise the cream.

These measures should be followed to utilise the prescription shampoo:

  1. Wet your skin with a modest amount of water in the region where you’ll apply the ketoconazole shampoo.
  2. On the skin that is impacted and a sizable area surrounding it, apply the shampoo.
  3. Rub the shampoo between your fingers to create a lather.
  4. 5 minutes should be spent with the shampoo on your skin.
  5. Use water to wash the shampoo from your skin.

Follow these instructions to use the over-the-counter shampoo:

  1. Make sure your scalp is not inflamed, cut, or fractured. If your scalp is inflamed or cracked, avoid using ketoconazole shampoo.
  2. Give your hair a good rinse.
  3. You should shampoo your hair.
  4. Rub the shampoo between your fingers to create a lather.
  5. Use a lot of water to thoroughly rinse the shampoo out of your hair.
  6. Repeat steps 2 through 5.

Other uses for this medicine

Dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis are sometimes treated with ketoconazole lotion and prescription shampoo (condition that causes flaking of the skin). Tinea manuum can sometimes be treated with ketoconazole cream (fungal infection of the skin on the hands). Diaper rash, eczema (skin irritation brought on by allergens), impetigo (blisters brought on by a bacterial infection), and psoriasis are some skin disorders that can occasionally be treated with ketoconazole cream in combination with other treatments (a lifelong skin condition). Discuss the potential dangers of using this medication for your illness with your doctor.

Ask your doctor or chemist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before using ketoconazole,

  • If you have an allergy to ketoconazole or any other drugs, lotions or shampoos, let your doctor and chemist know right away. If you plan to use the cream, let your doctor know if you have a sulfite allergy.
  • Inform your physician and chemist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are using. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
  • Inform your doctor of any medical conditions you now have or have ever had. Inform your doctor if you have asthma or have ever had asthma if you intend to use the cream.
  • Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking ketoconazole.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

As soon as you realise you missed a dose, administer it. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. Applying a second dose to make up for a missed one is not advised.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Ketoconazole could have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

  • Alterations to hair texture
  • Bumps on the scalp
  • Arid skin
  • Itching
  • Greasy, dry, or scalp
  • Discomfort, stinging, or itching where the drug was applied

Some adverse effects may be severe. Although the following signs are unusual, if you notice any of them, consult your doctor right away:

  • Rash
  • Hives
  • Breathing or swallowing challenges
  • Redness, tenderness, swelling, pain, or warmth where the drug was applied

Further adverse effects of ketoconazole are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom). Avoid letting the drug freeze and keep it away from light.

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your chemist or the garbage/recycling agency in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

In case of emergency/overdose

Call your local poison control centre at 1-800-222-1222 if someone has ingested ketoconazole lotion or shampoo. Dial 911 to reach the nearest emergency services if the sufferer has collapsed or has stopped breathing.

What other information should I know?

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

When using ketoconazole shampoo, hair that has been permanently curled (or “permed”) may lose its curl.

Do not share your medication with anybody else. It’s likely that your prescription cannot be renewed. Once you’ve finished the ketoconazole, call your doctor if you continue to experience infection-related symptoms.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names

  • Extina® Foam
  • Ketozole® Cream
  • Nizoral® Cream
  • Nizoral® Shampoo
  • Nizoral AD® Shampoo
  • Xolegel®
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