Nizoral

Nizoral is used to treat dandruff and certain forms of dermatitis. It is available in prescription and over-the-counter (non-prescription) forms.

Nizoral Overview

Updated: 

Nizoral is both an over-the-counter and a prescription medication. Nizoral is used to treat dandruff and forms of dermatitis. Nizoral belongs to a class of drugs called antifungals, which work by slowing the growth of fungi that cause infection.

This medication is available as a shampoo, which is available in prescription and over-the-counter products.

Common side effects of Nizoral shampoo include rash and worsening of dandruff.

How was your experience with Nizoral?

First, a little about yourself

Tell us about yourself in a few words?

What tips would you provide a friend before taking Nizoral?

What are you taking Nizoral for?

Choose one
  • Other
  • Acanthamoeba Keratitis
  • Aids-related Opportunistic Infections
  • Blastomycosis
  • Candidiasis, Chronic Mucocutaneous
  • Candidiasis, Cutaneous
  • Candidiasis, Oral
  • Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal
  • Coccidioidomycosis
  • Dermatitis, Seborrheic
  • Histoplasmosis
  • Leishmaniasis
  • Mycoses
  • Paracoccidioidomycosis
  • Tinea Pedis
  • Tinea Versicolor

How long have you been taking it?

Choose one
  • Less than a week
  • A couple weeks
  • A month or so
  • A few months
  • A year or so
  • Two years or more

How well did Nizoral work for you?

Did you experience many side effects while taking this drug?

How likely would you be to recommend Nizoral to a friend?

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Nizoral Cautionary Labels

precautionsprecautionsprecautions

Uses of Nizoral

Nizoral is used to treat dandruff and forms of dermatitis.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Manufacturer

Nizoral Drug Class

Nizoral is part of the drug class:

Side Effects of Nizoral

Serious side effects have been reported with Nizoral. See the “Nizoral Precautions” section.

Common side effects include:

  • rash
  • worsening of dandruff

This is not a complete list of Nizoral side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Nizoral Interactions

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

  • medications that use the enzyme CYP3A4 such as budesonide (Entocort), cyclosporine (Neoral, Gengraf, Sandimmune), darifenacin (Enablex), dihydroergotamine (Migranal), fentanyl (Abstral, Fentora, Onsolis, Actiq), pimozide (Orap), quinidine, sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf), terfenadine (Seldane), fluticasone (Flovent HFA, Flonase), eletriptan (Relpax), lovastatin (Mevacor), quetiapine (Seroquel), sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio), and simvastatin (Zocor)
  • medications that block the enzyme CYP3A4 such as some macrolide antibiotics (clarithromycin, telithromycin), some HIV protease inhibitors (indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir), some HCV protease inhibitors (boceprevir, telaprevir), some azole antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole), conivaptan, delavirdine, and nefazodone
  • medications that increase the activity of the enzyme CYP3A4 such as carbamazepine (Tegretol, Equetro, Carbatrol), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), rifampin, St John's wort, and nimodipine (Nimotop)
  • methylprednisolone (Medrol)
  • midazolam (Versed)
  • triazolam (Halcion)
  • digoxin (Lanoxin)
  • warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
  • phenytoin (Dilantin)
  • rifampin
  • alcohol

This is not a complete list of Nizoral drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Nizoral Precautions

Serious side effects have been reported with Nizoral including the following:

  • Serious allergic reactions. Some people can have a serious allergic reaction to Nizoral shampoo. Stop using Nizoral shampoo and go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have any signs or symptoms of a serious allergic reaction:
    • rash
    • itching
    • hives
    • fever
    • swelling of the lips or tongue
    • chest pain
    • difficulty breathing
  • changes in hair color and texture
  • dry skin
  • skin burning sensation

Do not use Nizoral if you:

  • are allergic to Nizoral or to any of its ingredients

Nizoral Food Interactions

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Nizoral, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Inform MD

Before using Nizoral, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

  • are allergic to Nizoral or to any of its ingredients
  • have liver problems
  • have adrenal insufficiency
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

Nizoral and Pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X - are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Nizoral falls into category C. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. There are no well-controlled studies that have been done in humans with Nizoral, though. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

Nizoral and Lactation

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Nizoral crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Nizoral.

Nizoral Usage

Use Nizoral exactly as prescribed.

This medication is available as a shampoo, which is available in prescription and over-the-counter products. The over-the-counter product is used every 3 or 4 days for up to 8 weeks. The prescription product should only need to be applied once.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not use 2 doses of Nizoral at the same time.

Nizoral Dosage

Take Nizoral exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The Nizoral dose your doctor recommends will be based on the following:

  • the condition being treated
  • other medical conditions you have
  • how you respond to this medication
  • your liver function
  • your kidney function
  • your age

The recommended dose of the over-the-counter form of Nizoral shampoo for the treatment of dandruff is the application of shampoo to wet hair; lather, rinse, and repeat. Use the shampoo every 3 to 4 days for up to 8 weeks, or as directed by a doctor.

The recommended dose of the prescription form of Nizoral shampoo for the treatment of dandruff is one application onto damp skin. Leave shampoo in place for 5 minutes, then rinse with water.

Nizoral Overdose

If you use too much Nizoral, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

Other Requirements

  • Store at room temperature between 15°–25°C (59°–77°F).
  • Protect from freezing.
  • Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.