This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
OTC
Ketoconazole
INN: ketoconazole
Data updated: 2026-05-02
Available in:
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About This Product
Manufacturer
Agenzia Industrie Difesa-Stabilimento Chimico Farmaceutico Militare
User Reviews
Reviews reflect personal experiences and are not medical advice. Always consult your doctor.
ATC Code
D01AC08
Source
EMA · EMEA/H/C/003800
USDailyMed:Ketoconazole
AU:B3
J02AB02(WHO)D01AC08(WHO),G01AF11(WHO),H02CA03(WHO)
UK:POM(Prescription only)US:℞-onlyEU:Rx-onlyIn general: ℞ (Prescription only)
1-[4-[4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]piperazin-1-yl]ethanone
65277-42-1Y
382347576
2568
DB01026Y
401695Y3691
R9400W927I
D00351Y
CHEBI:48336Y
ChEMBL75YChEMBL157101
KTN (PDBe,RCSB PDB)
DTXSID20273956
Interactive image
O=C(N5CCN(c4ccc(OC[C@@H]1O[C@](OC1)(c2ccc(Cl)cc2Cl)Cn3ccnc3)cc4)CC5)C
InChI=1S/C26H28Cl2N4O4/c1-19(33)31-10-12-32(13-11-31)21-3-5-22(6-4-21)34-15-23-16-35-26(36-23,17-30-9-8-29-18-30)24-7-2-20(27)14-25(24)28/h2-9,14,18,23H,10-13,15-17H2,1H3/t23-,26-/m0/s1YKey:XMAYWYJOQHXEEK-OZXSUGGESA-NY
Ketoconazole, sold under the brand nameNizoral, among others, is anantiandrogen,antifungal, andantiglucocorticoidmedication used to treat a number offungal infections.Applied to the skin it is used forfungal skin infectionssuch astinea,cutaneous candidiasis,pityriasis versicolor,dandruff, andseborrheic dermatitis.Takenby mouthit is a less preferred option and recommended for only severe infections when other agents cannot be used.Other uses include treatment ofexcessive male-patterned hair growth in womenandCushing's syndrome.
Commonside effectswhenapplied to the skininclude redness.Common side effects when taken by mouth includenausea,headache, andliver problems.Liver problems may result in death or the need for aliver transplantation.Other severe side effects when taken orally includeQT prolongation,adrenocortical insufficiency, andanaphylaxis.It is animidazoleand works by hindering the production ofergosterolrequired for the fungalcell membrane, thereby slowing growth.
Ketoconazole was patented in 1977 by Belgian pharmaceutical companyJanssen, and came into medical use in 1981.It is available as ageneric medicationand formulations that are applied to the skin areover the counterin theUnited Kingdom.In 2023, it was the 140th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 3million prescriptions.The formulation that is taken by mouth waswithdrawnin the European Union and in Australia in 2013,and in China in 2015.In addition, its use was restricted in the United States and Canada in 2013.
⚠️ Warnings
• Caution should be exercised in patients with history of liver disease, alcoholism, blood problems (eg, prophyria), any allergy, who are taking other medications, during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• It may cause dizziness or drowsiness, do not drive a car or operate machinery while taking this medication.
• It may affect blood sugar level; monitor sugar level regularly.