Ketoconazole oral tablet dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes ketoconazole oral tablet’s dosages and strength and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for ketoconazole. If you want to know more about ketoconazole oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.

Ketoconazole oral tablet is a generic medication. It’s not available in a brand-name version. Ketoconazole also comes as a topical cream, topical foam, and shampoo. But those forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about those forms, talk with your doctor.

Boxed warnings

This drug has boxed warnings about appropriate use and the risks of serious liver problems and long QT syndrome. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

See the end of this article for more information about these warnings.

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Form and strength of ketoconazole

Ketoconazole oral tablet comes as follows:

• Form: tablet that you swallow
• Strength: 200 milligrams (mg)

Dosage of ketoconazole

Ketoconazole is a type of antifungal drug (medication that is used to treat fungal infections). Ketoconazole oral tablet is used to treat certain fungal infections that are severe or difficult to treat.

This article describes the recommended dosages for ketoconazole oral tablet. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of ketoconazole oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of ketoconazole in adults

The usual dosage of ketoconazole for treating certain fungal infections in adults is:

• Dose: 200 mg
• Frequency: once per day
• Maximum dosage: 400 mg once per day

Dosages of ketoconazole in children

Ketoconazole may be prescribed for use in children ages 2 years and older. Dosage is based on body weight in kilograms (kg). (One kilogram equals about 2.2 pounds.) The suggested dosage of ketoconazole for treating certain fungal infections in children is:

• Dose: 3.3 to 6.6 mg per kg
• Frequency: once per day

Dosage adjustments for ketoconazole

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of ketoconazole oral tablet based on several factors. These include:

• the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
• your age
• other medications you’re taking
• other conditions you may have

Missed dose of ketoconazole

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of ketoconazole oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of ketoconazole oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about ketoconazole oral tablet and its dosage.

Will it take longer for my infection to heal if I use ketoconazole topical cream instead of the oral tablet?

Not necessarily. Treatment with ketoconazole topical cream typically lasts up to 6 weeks. With ketoconazole oral tablet, it may take about 6 months for your infection to heal. For more information, see the next question below. (“Is ketoconazole taken long term?”)

Keep in mind, however, that ketoconazole topical cream and ketoconazole oral tablet are not prescribed to treat the same types of infection. Ketoconazole oral tablet is prescribed to treat severe or difficult-to-treat fungal infections. The topical cream is typically prescribed to treat milder fungal infections.

Talk with your doctor about which form of ketoconazole may be best for you and what your dosage will be.

Is ketoconazole taken long term?

No, doctors don’t typically prescribe ketoconazole oral tablet as a long-term treatment. Instead, it’s usually recommended for short-term use.

Treatment can last for 6 months or longer, depending on how well your infection heals. Your doctor will monitor you and your condition to determine how long you will be taking ketoconazole.

If you have questions about how long you should take ketoconazole oral tablet, talk with your doctor.

How ketoconazole is taken

You’ll swallow ketoconazole oral tablet once per day.

Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.

If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Ketoconazole coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for ketoconazole when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.

Overdose of ketoconazole

It’s important that you do not take more ketoconazole oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

What to do if you take too much ketoconazole

If you think you’ve taken too much ketoconazole, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for ketoconazole oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of ketoconazole oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take ketoconazole oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Will you change my dosage of ketoconazole if my current dosage isn’t working for my condition?
• What lab tests will you order to monitor my condition while I’m taking ketoconazole?
• Should I stop taking any of my other medications while I’m taking ketoconazole?

Boxed warnings for ketoconazole

This drug has boxed warnings about the appropriate use of ketoconazole and the risks of serious liver problems and long QT syndrome. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Appropriate use: Ketoconazole can cause serious side effects. So, it should not be used to treat certain fungal infections. Ketoconazole oral tablet should only be taken when other treatments aren’t available or if other treatments aren’t tolerated well. Ketoconazole oral tablet may be taken when the potential benefits of treatment outweigh the potential risks.

Risk of serious liver problems: Ketoconazole can cause serious and sometimes fatal liver problems. In some cases, a liver transplant has been required. Your doctor will most likely monitor how well your liver is working by ordering some lab tests. Avoid consuming alcohol while you’re receiving treatment with ketoconazole. Seek medical attention if you experience abdominal pain or swelling, nausea, vomiting, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Risk of long QT syndrome: Ketoconazole can cause a condition called QT prolongation, which affects the electrical rhythm of your heart. QT prolongation can cause irregular heartbeats that could be fatal. The risk of developing this condition increases if you take ketoconazole oral tablet together with certain medications. Do not take ketoconazole together with any of the following medications:

• cisapride
• disopyramide
• dofetilide
• dronedarone
• lurasidone
• methadone
• pimozide
• quinidine
• ranolazine

Talk with your doctor to learn more about these warnings.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.