Sertaconazole

Generic Name: sertaconazole (SIR-tuh-CON-ah-zole)
Brand Name: Ertaczo

Sertaconazole is used for:

Treating athlete's foot infection that occurs between the toes in patients with a healthy immune system. Sertaconazole may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Sertaconazole is an imidazole antifungal. It works by blocking the formation of the fungal cell wall, which results in the death of the fungus.

Do NOT use sertaconazole if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in sertaconazole or to other imidazoles (eg, ketoconazole)
• you have a weakened immune system
• the skin in the area to be treated is irritated for other reasons

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

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Before using sertaconazole:

Some medical conditions may interact with sertaconazole. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with sertaconazole. Because little, if any, of sertaconazole is absorbed into the blood, the risk of it interacting with another medicine is low.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if sertaconazole may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use sertaconazole:

Use sertaconazole as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Clean and dry the affected area before applying the medicine.
• Gently rub the medicine until it is evenly distributed to the affected area and to a small section of healthy skin that surrounds the area.
• Do not bandage or wrap the affected area unless directed otherwise by your doctor.
• Wash your hands immediately after using sertaconazole.
• Sertaconazole is for use on the skin only. Avoid getting sertaconazole in your eyes, nose, vagina, or mouth.
• To clear up your infection completely, continue using sertaconazole for the full course of treatment even if you feel better in a few days. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of sertaconazole, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use sertaconazole.

Important safety information:

• If your condition does not improve in 2 weeks or if it becomes worse, contact your doctor for instructions.
• Overuse of topical products may worsen your condition.
• Do not use sertaconazole for any condition other than the one for which it was prescribed.
• Sertaconazole is not recommended for use in CHILDREN younger than 12 years of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using sertaconazole during pregnancy. It is unknown if sertaconazole is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using sertaconazole, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of sertaconazole:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dry skin; skin tenderness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blistering, irritation, oozing, peeling, redness, scaling, shedding, or swelling of the affected area; darkening of the skin.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Store sertaconazole at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Keep sertaconazole out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about sertaconazole, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Sertaconazole is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take sertaconazole or any other medicine. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about sertaconazole. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to sertaconazole. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using sertaconazole.

Disclaimer: This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.