Ketoconazole is an antifungal medication. Ketoconazole cream eliminates or inhibits the growth of fungi and yeast that causes skin infections. This cream treats various types of fungal and yeast infections on skin. Some of them include infections like ringworm, athlete's foot, and jock itch. As an extended use, physicians prescribe the application of ketoconazole cream for seborrheic dermatitis as well. Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition that leads to dryness, flaking, and itching. It helps to have more insights into the use of Ketoconazole cream for face.
Ketoconazole cream disrupts the fungal cell membrane with its antifungal properties. Ketoconazole’s main function lies in blocking the enzyme lanosterol 14α-demethylase. This cream blocks synthesis of ergosterol. This process leads to buildup of precursor sterols, resulting in a decline in ergosterol levels. It further leads to membrane instability, impaired fungal growth, and ultimately leads to the death of fungal cells.
Ketoconazole is termed “fungistatic” (inhibiting fungal growth) when used at lower concentrations. However, at higher concentrations or after prolonged exposure, it can also exhibit fungicidal (killing) activity. Therefore, ketoconazole has fungistatic as well as fungicidal effects. For topical application, ketoconazole cream works locally on your skin to treat fungal infections.
Ketoconazole cream for face
A quantity of 2% ketoconazole cream for the skin on your face is effective. However, this is when you use it alone for the topical treatment of seborrheic dermatitis of your face. You can even use it for your scalp, chest, or the back of your body.
You should follow the instructions of your caregiver when you apply ketoconazole cream. You must apply it only on the infected area and not elsewhere. If you happen to apply the cream to the other areas of your skin, you might encounter uncomfortable skin reactions. It can lead to skin irritation.
Precautions to consider before using ketoconazole cream
A few safety measures you need to follow when using the ketoconazole cream. You need to use ketoconazole cream only to treat fungal infections. This is when other drugs are not available or when you find it hard to tolerate any other medication.
While applying the cream, you need to wash your hands well before and after its application. However, if you treat an infection on your hands, you must wash only before applying the cream and not afterwards. You need to apply it carefully and rub it gently only on the infected area.
You need to inform your physician if you are an alcoholic. In addition, when you are undergoing treatment, you should never consume alcohol as it might trigger and increase the risk of developing liver damage. Certain medications are known to interact with ketoconazole cream. Therefore, you need to avoid taking such medicines when you are on treatment using ketoconazole cream.
You need to inform your physician about the allergic reactions you have. You can be allergic to ketoconazole cream or to any of its ingredients. You also need to let your physician know if you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant.
Another important information your physician needs to know is that if you are a breastfeeding woman. All these would help your physician to understand the background of your health condition and advice upon the right dosage strength you need to use. Moreover, your physician would also say if this ketoconazole cream is the right choice for you.
In connection with using ketoconazole cream, you also need to inform your physician that if you are currently on any other medications. This includes certain supplements, traditional medications, and herbal medicines you use.
Side effects of ketoconazole cream
Side effects are always common when our system fails to accept or tolerate some medications. Itching, redness on your skin, a burning sensation, fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, fever, or rash could be some side effects of using ketoconazole cream.
In rare cases, ketoconazole cream use may lead to a liver damage even to individuals who had never had any liver complaints in the past and who never had any risk of developing a liver disease. Liver damage using ketoconazole cream might even result in liver transplantation or it might lead to death.
Ketoconazole cream can lead to QT prolongation. QT prolongation leads to irregular heart rhythm. Eventually this can lead to seizures, fainting and unconsciousness. Some other serious side effects would include symptoms like fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, lightheadedness, and so on.
You can even get anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction. Ketoconazole use, rare cases can lead to anaphylaxis. You need to contact your healthcare professional immediately or visit the nearby medical emergency center if you experience rash, hoarseness, breathing discomfort, swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while applying ketoconazole cream.
Does ketoconazole cream interact with other medicines?
Ketoconazole cream is unlikely to not interact with most medicines. However, there is not enough data to support this fact. This is because the complementary medicines and the herbal supplements are not tested the same way like how they do for pharmacy or prescription meds.
As only tiny volumes of ketoconazole cream are absorbed into your body, you need not worry about serious drug interactions. Therefore, you can use ketoconazole for treating your skin even when you are on other medicines.
If you are using a mild steroid cream i.e. hydrocortisone to treat swelling or inflammation due to a skin infection, you can apply the steroid cream in the morning and ketoconazole cream in the evening. This does not affect your current treatment procedure. Moreover, if you plan to use it twice daily, then a 30-minute gap is necessary between applying the ketoconazole cream and the steroid cream.
You can receive the manufacturer's patient information sheet, which is the medication guide from your physician or pharmacist. This is during the beginning of your treatment with ketoconazole cream and every time you refill your prescription.
You can go through the details carefully. You can additionally check with your physician or pharmacist if you have any doubts regarding its use. For further clarifications, you can even visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website or the manufacturer's website to get the medication guide.