Itraconazole facts for kids

Itraconazole (say it like: eye-tra-KOH-na-zole) is a special medicine. It helps your body fight off infections caused by tiny living things called fungi. These infections can happen in different parts of your body, like your lungs, nails, or skin.

How Does Itraconazole Work?

Itraconazole is an antifungal medicine. This means it's designed to stop fungi from growing and spreading. Fungi are a type of germ, similar to bacteria or viruses, but they need different medicines to be treated. This medicine works by damaging the outer layer of the fungal cells, which makes the fungi unable to survive and multiply.

What Are Fungal Infections?

Fungal infections happen when fungi grow too much in or on your body. They can cause different problems depending on where they are. For example, some fungi can cause athlete's foot, while others can cause more serious infections inside your body, like in your lungs. Itraconazole is often used for these more serious internal infections.

How to Take Itraconazole

Itraconazole comes in two main forms that you take by mouth:

• Capsules: These are like small pills you swallow.
• Oral Solution: This is a liquid medicine that you drink.

Your doctor will tell you which form is best for you and how much to take. It's very important to follow their instructions carefully to make sure the medicine works well and you stay safe.

Getting Your Medicine

You cannot just buy Itraconazole at a store. It is a powerful medicine, so you need a special paper called a prescription from a doctor. Once you have the prescription, you can take it to a pharmacist at a pharmacy. The pharmacist will give you the medicine and explain how to use it.

Why is Itraconazole Important?

Itraconazole is listed as one of the essential medicines by the World Health Organization (WHO). This means it's considered one of the most important medicines needed for a basic healthcare system. It helps treat serious fungal infections that could be very harmful if not treated properly.

See also

In Spanish: Itraconazol para niños