Ketoconazole Ointment: instructions for use, reviews, photos, analogies

Antifungal agents can be purchased in various forms. They are sold in the form of tablets, candles, aerosol, shampoo, etc. However, experts argue that the most effective drug from the fungus is a local remedy in the form of a gel, ointment or cream. Such medications act directly on the lesion site, contributing to the speedy recovery of the patient.

Today we will tell you about an antifungal drug, like "ketoconazole"( ointment).The use of this agent( method), its dosage, analogs and photos will be presented in this article.

Composition and packaging of the external preparation

What components are included in the composition of an antifungal agent such as ketoconazole? Ointment, the instruction to which is enclosed in a cardboard box, contains ketoconazole and various auxiliary ingredients.

This preparation is sold in polyethylene tubes and packs of heavy paper, respectively.

Principle of action of the drug

What is the external preparation "Ketoconazole"?The ointment, analogues of which are listed below, is an antifungal agent. It has a wide spectrum of action, slows the synthesis of phospholipids, ergosterol and triglycerides, which ultimately leads to a mycostatic effect and impaired permeability of the cell walls.

This medication is able to exert fungistatic and fungicidal activity against yeasts, dermatophytes, higher and dimorphic fungi. The action of this drug is less sensitive to Aspergillus ssp., Sporothrix schenckii, Mucor spp.and some Dermatiaceae, as well as other phycomycetes, other than Entomophthorales.

What other properties does Ketoconazole( ointment) have? The responses of experienced specialists say that it is capable of inhibiting the biological synthesis of ergosterol fungi. As a result, the agent under consideration changes the composition of other lipid elements in their membranes. It should be noted that fungal meningitis with oral forms of this drug is not treated.

Indications for the use of antifungal cream

In what diseases is the patient prescribed ointment "Ketoconazole"?This drug effectively heals the foot fungus, as well as fungal diseases of other parts of the body, yeast fungus on the skin, inguinal epidermophyte and pityriasis. In addition, this drug is actively used with maintenance therapy for seborrheic dermatitis.

In addition to the ointment, under the trade name "Ketoconazole" in pharmacies, you can find drugs in the form of tablets, candles and even shampoo. According to the instructions, such agents are prescribed with:

• systemic and superficial mycoses:
• mycosis of the scalp;
• dermatomycoses( that is, with skin fungal diseases) caused by blastomycetes;
• onychomycosis( that is, with fungal nail disease), which were caused by blastomycetes( the so-called parasitic fungi, which belong to the class of imperfect fungi);
• blastomycetosis( i.e., in case of a human disease that was caused by parasitic fungi) of the oral cavity and the digestive tract, as well as of the genito-urinary organs;
• mycosis of internal organs;
• vaginal mycosis.

As a preventive agent, this drug can be used to prevent fungal infections with reduced immunological resistance of the body( reducing the resistance of humans to pathogens).

Contraindications to the use of

Ointment "Ketoconazole" is not assigned to a patient in the presence of hypersensitivity to ketoconazole, as well as propylene glycol or other components of the drug. In addition, this drug is not recommended for use in pregnancy, impaired liver and kidney function and breastfeeding.

Medication in the form of tablets should not be administered concomitantly with antacid agents that reduce gastric acidity, anticholinergics, "cimetidine" and its analogues.

Using the ointment "ketoconazole", as well as other forms of this medicine, it is necessary to monitor the liver function and blood picture. Particular care should be observed when the pituitary gland and the adrenal cortex are disturbed.

Preparation "Ketoconazole"( ointment): instruction for use

The way this product is used is standard. Antifungal cream is applied in a thin and even layer on dry and clean skin.

Before using this product directly, carefully prepare the affected skin. It is thoroughly washed with soap and then completely dried.

Apply ketoconazole ointment once a day. It is advisable to perform therapeutic procedures in the evening.

To achieve the best therapeutic result, the cream needs to be well absorbed. For this, after its application for some time, it is forbidden to put on shoes or clothes.

If the affected area is located on the arm, then for some period you should refrain from doing manual work.

If the fungal infection is severe or the area is in constant contact with shoes or clothing, the medicinal cream can be applied twice a day. It should be noted that an overdose of this agent is unlikely.

Duration of use of

How long should I take Ketoconazole( ointment)?The instruction informs that the duration of the course of treatment with this medicine depends on the type of disease:

• fungus on the foot - 4-6 weeks;
• fungus on other parts of the body - about 3-4 weeks;
• yeast fungus on the skin - about 2-3 weeks;
• epidermophytosis inguinal - about 2-4 weeks;
• pityriasis lichen - approximately 2-3 weeks;
• seborrheic dermatitis - 2-4 weeks;
• maintenance treatment for seborrheic dermatitis - apply about 1-2 times a week.

If the symptoms of a fungal disease do not go away, you should consult your doctor.

If the fungus hit the nail plates, then theoretically, they can be treated with compresses( until the healthy nail grows).However, doctors recommend using special drugs for this.

It should also be remembered that the disappearance of symptoms does not mean a complete cure of the disease. In this regard, experts advise to comply with all the terms of therapy and continue to use the ointment for several days after the removal of all symptoms.

Side effects

Adverse effects on the background of the use of this drug are extremely rare. As a rule, this drug causes the development of:

• contact dermatitis;
• of erythema;
• local edema;
• itching and burning.

No special action is required to eliminate such phenomena. They pass by themselves after the antifungal agent is withdrawn.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Can I use Ketoconazole during pregnancy? Ointment, the photo of which is presented in this article, is intended for external application, is not absorbed into the total blood flow, and therefore does not have systemic effects. In this regard, this medication is permissible to prescribe to pregnant women, but only on indications and in case of emergency.

When breastfeeding the baby, you should completely exclude the possibility of getting the cream in your baby's mouth.

Storage conditions and storage times

Store this medication preferably in a dry place inaccessible to children and a dark place where the air temperature varies between 10-20 degrees.

Ointment is not allowed to be frozen. If this happens, then it is not recommended to use it.

The shelf life of this product is three years.

Similar drugs and the cost of

The price of the drug "ketoconazole" in the form of an ointment is about 160 rubles.

If this medication is contraindicated to you, then it can be replaced by analogues. To agents with such active substance, as ketoconazole, carry the following: ointment "Perchotal", ointment "Sebozol", ointment "Mycosoril" and cream "Nizoral".

Reviews about the local medicine

According to most patients, the drug "Ketoconazole" copes with the task quite effectively. Its active substance contributes to the rapid elimination of fungal diseases.

If the patient seems that such a medicine treats skin lesions is not good enough, then doctors recommend using it in complex therapy together with oral agents of a similar effect.

It should also be noted that the merits of this drug often include its quite reasonable cost, availability and the absence of side effects.