Ketoconazole/Food Interaction
This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug, changing your diet or commencing any course of treatment.
Medical warning:
Most important. A change in your diet, medicine, or dosage is likely to be necessary. Promptly consult your doctor or pharmacist.
How the interaction occurs:
Stomach acid is needed in order for the medicine to dissolve properly.
What might happen:
Your blood levels of ketoconazole may decrease if you do not have normal amounts of stomach acid (e.g., achlorhydria). Acid is required to increase absorption of this medicine into your bloodstream.
What you should do about this interaction:
If you lack stomach acid (a condition which can be caused by certain stomach/ulcer medicines such as omeprazole or ranitidine), your healthcare professional (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may recommend use of an acidic product to improve absorption of this medicine. Various methods have been used. Contact your healthcare professional for more information.Your healthcare professionals may be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change your medicine or diet before checking with them first.
References:
1.Nizoral (ketoconazole) US prescribing information. Janssen 1997.
2.Chin TW, Loeb M, Fong IW. Effects of an acidic beverage (Coca-Cola) on absorption of ketoconazole. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1995 Aug; 39(8):1671-5.
