Nizoral shampoo

Uses

What is Nizoral Shampoo used for?

Nizoral Shampoo is commonly used to prevent and treat skin conditions that are likely to be caused by the yeast Pityrosporum (also known as Malassezia), such as:

• Dandruff
• Inflammatory skin condition with greasy, red and scaly areas (seborrhoeic dermatitis)
• Fungal skin condition called pityriasis versicolor

Nizoral Shampoo may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should I take Nizoral Shampoo?

Nizoral shampoo is for external use only. Do not get it in your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you get it in any of these areas, rinse at once with cool water.

Nizoral 2% shampoo should be used to wash the affected areas. Leave the shampoo on for three to five minutes before rinsing.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Nizoral Shampoo.

How do I store Nizoral Shampoo?

Nizoral Shampoo is best stored at room temperature away from direct light and moisture. To prevent drug damage, you should not store Nizoral Shampoo in the bathroom or the freezer. There may be different brands of Nizoral Shampoo that may have different storage needs. It is important to always check the product package for instructions on storage, or ask your pharmacist. For safety, you should keep all medicines away from children and pets.

You should not flush Nizoral Shampoo down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. It is important to properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Precautions & warnings

What should I know before using Nizoral Shampoo?

Consult with your doctor or pharmacist, if:

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding. This is because, while you are expecting or feeding a baby, you should only take medicines on the recommendation of a doctor.
• You are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, such as herbal and complementary medicines.
• You have allergy with any of active or inactive ingredients of Nizoral Shampoo or other medications.
• You have any other illnesses, disorders, or medical conditions.
• You have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals.

Is it safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Pregnancy

There are no adequate studies in women for determining risk when using Nizoral Shampoo during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Please always consult with your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before taking Nizoral Shampoo. Nizoral Shampoo is pregnancy risk category C, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

FDA pregnancy risk category reference below:

• A=No risk
• B=No risk in some studies
• C=There may be some risk
• D=Positive evidence of risk
• X=Contraindicated
• N=Unknown

Breastfeeding:

Not known if distributed into milk; use it with caution.

Always consult your health care provider prior to using this medication if you are pregnant, breastfeeding.

Side effects

What side effects can occur from Nizoral Shampoo?

Here are side effects:

• Allergic reaction (hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat)
• Mild irritation or stinging

Stop using Nizoral shampoo and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• Severe itching, burning, or irritation where the medicine is applied
• Oily or dry scalp, mild hair loss
• Redness, pain, or oozing of treated skin areas
• Eye redness, swelling, or irritation

Not everyone experiences these side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns about a side-effect, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions

What drugs may interact with Nizoral Shampoo?

Nizoral Shampoo may interact with other drugs that you are currently taking, which can change how your drug works or increase your risk for serious side effects. To avoid any potential drug interactions, you should keep a list of all the drugs you are using (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. For your safety, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any drugs without your doctor’s approval.

If you have been using a topical corticosteroid on your skin, you should talk to your doctor about whether to continue this while you are using Nizoral shampoo.

Does food or alcohol interact with Nizoral Shampoo?

Nizoral Shampoo may interact with food or alcohol by altering the way the drug works or increase the risk for serious side effects. Please discuss with your doctor or pharmacist any potential food or alcohol interactions before using this drug.

What health conditions may interact with Nizoral Shampoo?

Nizoral Shampoo may interact with your health condition. This interaction may worsen your health condition or alter the way the drug works. It is important to always let your doctor and pharmacist know all the health conditions you currently have, such as liver problems or the blood disease porphyria.

Dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for any medical advice. You should ALWAYS consult with your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication.

What is the dose of Nizoral Shampoo for an adult?

Usual adult dose for tinea versicolor:

Apply to damp skin of the affected area and a wide margin surrounding this area. One application should be sufficient; however, an application once a day for 3 days has also been used.

Usual adult dose for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis:

The shampoo should be used to wash the hair twice a week for two to four weeks. Once these conditions have cleared up they can be prevented from coming back by using the shampoo once every one to two weeks.

Usual adult dose for pityriasis versicolor:

The shampoo should be used to wash the skin once a day for a maximum of five days. Pityriasis versicolor can often come back in the spring or summer. The shampoo can be used to prevent this by using it once a day for a maximum of three days before you expect to expose your skin to sunshine.

What is the dose of Nizoral Shampoo for a child?

Usual pediatric dose for dandruff 12 years or older:

1% Shampoo: Apply every 3 or 4 days for up to 8 weeks. Then apply as needed to control dandruff.

How is Nizoral Shampoo available?

Nizoral Shampoo is available in the following dosage forms and strengths:

• Nizoral 2% shampoo (ketoconazole)
• Nizoral 1% shampoo (ketoconazole)

What should I do in case of an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or an overdose, call your local emergency services or go to your nearest emergency room.

It is also important to carry a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking with you in case of emergencies.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of Nizoral Shampoo, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your regular dose as scheduled. Do not take a double dose.