Nizoral Shampoo: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Nizoral Shampoo contains ketoconazole, a topical antifungal medicine used on the scalp and skin. It is used to treat fungal infections of the scalp, tinea (pityriasis) versicolor, and dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis. It is applied to the affected area, lathered, left briefly, and rinsed off, typically twice weekly for several weeks.

What is Nizoral Shampoo

Nizoral Shampoo is a clear, reddish solution containing ketoconazole, an antifungal medicine used on the scalp and skin.

Nizoral Shampoo uses

• Fungal infections of the scalp caused by yeast fungi, on greasy, reddish, inflamed scalp in adults and adolescents
• Treatment of tinea (pityriasis) versicolor
• Dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis

Benefits of Nizoral Shampoo

• Helps clear fungal skin and scalp infections
• Can be used for prevention as well as treatment of scalp fungal infections

How Nizoral Shampoo works

Ketoconazole works by interfering with a substance fungi need to build their cell membranes, which stops the fungus from growing.

Nizoral Shampoo dosage

Wash the infected area with the shampoo and rinse after a few minutes. For scalp fungal infections, treatment is usually applied twice weekly for several weeks, with less frequent use for prevention. Apply the shampoo to damp skin of the affected area and a wide margin surrounding it, lather, leave in place for a short time, then rinse off with water.

If you miss a treatment, use it as soon as you remember, but do not use it twice to make up for a missed dose. Avoid contact with the eyes; if it gets in your eyes, rinse gently with cold water. If swallowed, tell your doctor straight away. Use in children is not established.

Available forms and strengths

• Shampoo (topical liquid solution)

Side effects of Nizoral Shampoo

Common

• Mild skin itching or irritation
• Dry skin
• Abnormal hair texture
• Scalp pustules
• Oiliness and dryness of hair and scalp
• Rash
• Hives
• Application site reactions
• Headache
• Infection of the hair roots
• Increase in production of tears
• Unusual hair loss or thinning
• Burning feeling
• Changes in how your hair feels

Serious

• Severe irritation or reddening of the skin, or other signs of allergy, during the first few days of treatment
• Allergic reaction with swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat which may cause difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Peeling or blistering of the skin
• Hives
• Hair colour changes
• Anaphylaxis (a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction)
• Fast heartbeat
• Fever
• Hoarseness
• Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
• Tightness in the chest
• Trouble breathing or swallowing
• Wheezing

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use if you are allergic to ketoconazole or any other ingredient in this shampoo.
• If you are also using cortisone ointments like betamethasone or hydrocortisone on the same area for a long time and plan to stop, reduce the cortisone gradually over 2-3 weeks while continuing to use this shampoo.
• This shampoo may cause a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening.
• This shampoo is for external use only; do not swallow it.
• Avoid contact with the eyes and mucous membranes.
• There are no known risks with using ketoconazole shampoo during pregnancy, but you should ask your doctor for advice before use if you are pregnant or think you might be.
• There are no known risks with using ketoconazole shampoo while breastfeeding, but ask your doctor for advice before use.
• This shampoo does not affect your ability to drive or use machines.

• Storage

• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not store above 25º C.
• Protect from light.
• Do not use Ketoconazole shampoo after the expiry date which is stated on the packaging. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use.

When to see a doctor

• Stop using the shampoo and tell your doctor straight away if you notice severe irritation or reddening of the skin, or other signs of allergy, especially in the first few days of treatment.
• Get medical help right away if you have swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, or trouble breathing or swallowing.
• Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while using this medicine.
• Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you or your child have a skin rash, burning, stinging, swelling, or irritation on the skin.
• If you swallow any of the shampoo, tell your doctor straight away.
• If your skin problem does not improve within the expected time or gets worse, check with your doctor.

Alternatives

• Ciclopirox 1% shampoo
• Selenium sulfide 1–2.5% shampoo
• Zinc pyrithione 1–2% shampoo
• Coal tar shampoo