The most common side effects of itraconazole include:
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Gas or bloating
- Heartburn
- Unpleasant taste
- Sore or bleeding gums
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Sweating
- Muscle pain or weakness
- Joint pain
- Decreased sexual desire or ability
- Nervousness
- Depression
- Runny nose and other cold symptoms
- Fever
- Hair loss
This is not a complete list of adverse effects, although these are among the most common. Seek medical attention right away if you experience blurred vision or double vision, ringing in the ears, or an inability to control urination or urinating more than usual while taking itraconazole.
Itraconazole has a black box warning from the Food and Drug Administration, which alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. Studies show that itraconazole can cause congestive heart failure or can worsen existing congestive heart failure. If you notice shortness of breath; coughing up white or pink phlegm; weakness; excessive tiredness; fast heartbeat; swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs; waking up at night, or sudden weight gain, call your doctor immediately as they may be signs of heart failure.
Using itraconazole with contraindicated medications can be deadly. Be sure to inform the prescribing doctor or health care professional about any medical conditions you have been previously diagnosed with, as well as any medication/ supplements you are currently taking before starting treatment with itraconazole. Interaction of itraconazole with other forms of medication and substances can cause heart failure, liver failure, seizures, and other serious and potentially deadly side effects.
Talk to your doctor before consuming grapefruit juice while taking itraconazole, as the juice can prevent certain enzymes from breaking down the itraconazole, leading to high amounts of the drug in your system.
Consult with your doctor if you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant before taking itraconazole, as cases of congenital abnormalities have been reported. Only take itraconazole if you are sure that you are not pregnant and be sure to use effective birth control methods.