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Ketoconazole was discovered in 1976 and released in the early 1980s, and was the first available oral treatment of fungal infections.
Ketoconazole is usually prescribed for infections such as athlete's foot, ringworm, candidiasis (yeast infection or thrush), jock itch.
The sides-effects of Ketoconazokle sometimes used to treat non-fungal problems. The decrease in testosterone caused by the drug makes it useful for treating prostate cancer. Another use is the suppression of glucocorticoid synthesis, where it is used in the treatment of Cushing's disease. These side effects have also been studied for use in reducing depressive symptoms and drug addiction, however it has not succeded in either of these roles.
Ketoconazole can be prescribed as a 200 mg pill, a 2% ointment, or 2% shampoo for the treatment of dandruffDandruff is flakes of dead skin that form on the scalp. As it is normal for skin cells to die and flake off, a small amount of dandruff is normal and in fact quite common. Some people, however, either chronically or as a result of certain triggers, experi or seborrhoeic dermatitisSeborrhoeic dermatitis is a skin disorder affecting the scalp, face and trunk causing scaly, flaky, itchy, red skin. It particularly affects the sebum-gland rich areas of skin. It is thought to be caused by a fungal infection caused by the yeast, Pityrosp.
It is a Pregnancy category CThe pregnancy category of a pharmaceutical agent is an assessment of the risk of fetal injury due to the pharmaceutical, if it is used as directed by the mother. It does not include any risks conferred by pharmaceutical agents or their metabolites that ar drug because animal testingAnimal testing is the use of non- human animals, for the purpose of testing chemical and other substances, to determine their safety and efficacy for use with humans. This topic is mired in controversy with supporters and opponents arguing over both ethic has shown it to cause TeratogenesisTeratogenesis is a medical term from the Greek, literally meaning monster making''. It has gained a more specific usage for the development of abnormal cell masses during fetal growth, causing physical defects in the fetus. There are a large number of ter in high dosages. Only two human test cases have been recorded (both during the treatment of Cushing's disease) and no adverse effects were reported, however this is not a broad enough data sample to draw conclusions from.
Ketoconazole is best absorbed at highly acidFor alternative meanings see acid (disambiguation). An acid (represented by the generic formula AH is typically a water-soluble, sour-tasting chemical compound. An acid always has a pH of less than 7. It is a molecule or ion that contains hydrogen or thatic levels, so antacidAn antacid is a substance that is swallowed in order to buffer gastric acid, raising the pH to reduce acid damage and relieve heartburn. Some also adsorb bile salts. Common types are: Aluminium hydroxide (AmphojelŪ, AlternaGELŪ) Magnesium hydroxide (Phills or other causes of decreased stomach acid levels will lower the drug's effectiveness when taken orally.
Ketoconazole is imidazole structured, and interferes with the fungal synthesis of ergosterol, the main constituent of cell membranes, as well as certain enzymes. It is specific for fungi, as mammalian cell membranes contain no ergosterol.