Ketoconazole (Generic) Antifungal Tablets for Dogs and Cats
Why has my veterinarian prescribed Ketoconazole Antifungal Tablets?
Ketoconazole is an antifungal medicine prescribed to treat fungal infections in your pet. Your veterinarian may prescribe this medication for other conditions including Cushing's disease in dogs. This medicine may also be prescribed with cyclosporin to decrease the elimination of cyclosporin.
How do I give Ketoconazole Antifungal Tablets?
First, READ THE LABEL CAREFULLY.
Give Ketoconazole to your pet as directed by your veterinarian.
Give your pet this medicine with food, preferably a fatty meal.
If Ketoconazole is prescribed as a liquid measure the dose carefully.
Try to give this medication at the same time each day.
DO NOT give your pet more medicine than directed.
DO NOT give your pet medicine more often than prescribed.
Try not to miss giving any doses.
Generally, this medication needs to be given over a long period. Plan ahead to ensure you have the refills you need.
If I miss a dose, what do I do?
If you miss a dose, give it to your pet as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose, then continue with the regular dosing schedule. Do not give your pet two doses at once.
Contact your veterinarian if you miss giving doses two or more days in a row.
How do I store Ketoconazole Antifungal Tablets?
Keep this medicine out of reach of children.
Store this medicine at room temperature in a dry, cool place. Keep this medicine away from heat and direct sunlight.
Do not store this medicine in damp places, in the bathroom, or near the kitchen sink. This medication can break down when exposed to moisture or heat.
What are the potential side effects of Ketoconazole Antifungal Tablets?
Because Ketoconazole may cause stomach upset, give your pet this medication with meals.
If diarrhea, vomiting, and lack of appetite persist, contact your veterinarian.
Lightening of the hair coat may occur.
This medication may stop sperm production, use it with caution in male animals intended for breeding.
Other side effects may occur. If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinarian.
What about possible drug interactions?
Be sure to tell your veterinarian about any other medications you are giving to your pet.
It’s not uncommon for your veterinarian to prescribe two different medications, which may cause a drug interaction to occur. If this happens, your veterinarian may change the dose and/or monitor your pet more closely.
The following medicines may interact with Ketoconazole: antacids, cimetidine, ranitidine, propantheline, mitotane, warfarin, phenytoin, methylprednisolone, cisapride, theophylline, rifampin, isoniazid, acyclovir, and cyclosporin.
The following medications should not be given with Ketoconazole: astemizole, cisapride, or terfenadine.
Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences any unusual reactions when different medications are given together.
Ketoconazole (Rx)
Trade Names:
Nizoral®
General Description:
Ketoconazole is an antifungal agent used to treat fungal infections (ex. ringworm, bone, lung, central nervous system infections). It may also be prescribed for Cushing's disease or for other reasons. Give ketoconazole with a fatty meal to reduce stomach upset and increase absorption. This medication is available as a tablet or in various topical preparations.
What is this drug?
- Antifungal
- Given by mouth; some forms are used topically
Reasons for prescribing:
- Treatment of fungal infections, whether limited to the skin (ex. ringworm, Malassezia dermatitis), or more serious infections affecting organ systems (bone, lungs, nervous system)
- Treatment of Cushing's disease
- Sometimes used at the same time as the drug Cyclosporine. Ketoconazole reduces the amount of cyclosporine needed.
What dogs/cats should not take this medication?
- Some believe ketoconazole should not be used in cats
- Pets known to have had an allergic reaction to ketoconazole or like products before
- Pets with liver disease or clotting disorders
- Breeding, pregnant or nursing animals
Directions:
To reduce the incidence of stomach upset, divide the dose and give with meals.
Give medication as directed by your veterinarian. Depending upon the condition, this medication may be given once, twice or three times daily. Your veterinarian may suggest tablets be given with a fatty food (ex. butter or cheese).
Give the exact amount prescribed and only as often as directed. Missed doses reduce the effectiveness of therapy. Ideally, give the medication at the same time daily.
Call ahead for refills. Long term-therapy (from a few weeks up until a year) is usually necessary for successful results.
If for some reason your pet needs antacids while on ketoconazole, give them two hours after ketoconazole is administered.
It may take one or two weeks before effects of the medication are noted.
What if dose is missed?
If a dose is missed, give it as soon as you can. If it is time already for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to the normal schedule. Do not give two doses at the same time.
What to tell/ask veterinarian before giving medication?
Talk to your veterinarian about:
- When will your pet need to be rechecked
- What tests may need to be performed prior to and during treatment with this drug
- Risks and benefits of using this drug
Tell your veterinarian about:
- If your pet has experienced side-effects on other drugs/products
- If your pet has experienced digestive upset now or ever
- If your pet has experienced liver or kidney disease now or ever
- If your pet has experienced any other medical problems or allergies now or ever
- All medicines and supplements that you are giving your pet or plan to give your pet, including those you can get without a prescription. Your veterinarian may want to check that all of your pet's medicines can be given together.
- If your pet is pregnant or nursing or if you plan to breed your pet
Storage and Warnings:
Store in a tight, light resistant, childproof container in a cool, dry place at room temperature away from heat and direct sunlight.
Refrigerate suspension if directed.
When administering the topical cream, the owner should wear gloves and wash hands after use.
Keep this and all medication out of reach of children and pets. Call your physician immediately if you accidentally take this product.
Potential side effects:
- Nausea, decrease in appetite, vomiting, diarrhea (especially cats)
- High doses may cause liver disease (jaundice - yellowing of gums, skin or eyes), but are resolved when medication is discontinued. This has been found more often in cats and some dogs. Monitoring liver enzymes and blood counts during long-term therapy is advised.
- Some individuals will have a lightened hair coat while undergoing therapy. Reverses when medication is discontinued.
- May cause bleeding problems
- Some individuals may need prednisone administered along with ketoconazole
- Testicular secretion of testosterone is reduced; may produce a feminizing effect or infertility in males.
- If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinarian
Can this drug be given with other drugs?
- Yes, but possible interactions may occur with acyclovir, antacids, anticholinergics (ex. propantheline), cyclosporine, digoxin, ethanol, H2 blockers (cimetidine, ranitidine), isoniazid, mitotane, methylprednisolone, phenytoin, rifampin, theophylline and warfarin.
- These drugs should not be given with ketoconazole: astemizole, cisapride and terfenadine.
- If your pet experiences any unusual reactions when taking multiple medications, contact your veterinarian.
Overdosing?
Contact your veterinarian immediately if pet eats more than the prescribed amount.
What else should I know?
Notify your veterinarian if your animal's condition does not improve or worsens despite this treatment.
As with all prescribed medicines, ketoconazole should only be given to the dog/cat for which it was prescribed. It should be given only for the condition for which it was prescribed.
This is just a summary of information about ketoconazole. If you have any questions or concerns about ketoconazole or for the condition it was prescribed, contact your veterinarian.