Ketoconazole Topical Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 3, 2023.

Usual Adult Dose for Cutaneous Candidiasis

2% Cream: Apply to the affected and immediate surrounding area once a day for 2 weeks.

Comments:

• May see clinical improvement fairly soon after start of therapy; duration of 2 weeks recommended to reduce possibility of recurrence.

Uses: For the topical treatment of tinea corporis and tinea cruris due to Trichophyton rubrum, T mentagrophytes, and Epidermophyton floccosum; in the treatment of cutaneous candidiasis due to Candida species

Usual Adult Dose for Tinea Corporis

2% Cream: Apply to the affected and immediate surrounding area once a day for 2 weeks.

Comments:

• May see clinical improvement fairly soon after start of therapy; duration of 2 weeks recommended to reduce possibility of recurrence.

Uses: For the topical treatment of tinea corporis and tinea cruris due to Trichophyton rubrum, T mentagrophytes, and Epidermophyton floccosum; in the treatment of cutaneous candidiasis due to Candida species

Usual Adult Dose for Tinea Cruris

2% Cream: Apply to the affected and immediate surrounding area once a day for 2 weeks.

Comments:

• May see clinical improvement fairly soon after start of therapy; duration of 2 weeks recommended to reduce possibility of recurrence.

Uses: For the topical treatment of tinea corporis and tinea cruris due to Trichophyton rubrum, T mentagrophytes, and Epidermophyton floccosum; in the treatment of cutaneous candidiasis due to Candida species

Usual Adult Dose for Tinea Pedis

2% Cream: Apply to the affected and immediate surrounding area once a day for 6 weeks.

Use: For the topical treatment of tinea pedis due to T rubrum, T mentagrophytes, and E floccosum

Usual Adult Dose for Tinea Versicolor

2% Cream: Apply to the affected and immediate surrounding area once a day for 2 weeks.
2% Shampoo: Apply to damp skin of the affected area and a wide margin surrounding this area, lather, leave in place for 5 minutes, and then rinse off with water.

Comments:

• A single application of the shampoo should be sufficient and then intermittently as needed.

Uses:

• Cream: In the treatment of tinea (pityriasis) versicolor due to Malassezia furfur (Pityrosporum orbiculare)
• Shampoo: For the treatment of tinea (pityriasis) versicolor due to or presumed due to P orbiculare (M furfur)

Usual Adult Dose for Seborrheic Dermatitis

2% Cream: Apply to affected area twice a day for 4 weeks or until clinical clearing.
2% Foam: Apply to affected area(s) twice a day for 4 weeks.
2% Gel: Apply to affected area once a day for 2 weeks.

Comments:

• The foam and the gel are indicated for use in immunocompetent patients.

Usual Adult Dose for Dandruff

1% Shampoo: Use topically every 3 or 4 days for up to 8 weeks and then only as needed to control dandruff.

Comments:

• The shampoo should be applied to completely wet hair, lathered generously, and then rinsed thoroughly; this should be repeated.
• The shampoo should not be used on a broken or inflamed scalp.

Uses: To control flaking, scaling, and itching associated with dandruff

Usual Pediatric Dose for Seborrheic Dermatitis

12 years or older:
2% Foam: Apply to affected area(s) twice a day for 4 weeks.
2% Gel: Apply to affected area once a day for 2 weeks.

Comments:

• The foam and the gel are indicated for use in immunocompetent patients.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Dandruff

12 years or older:
1% Shampoo: Use topically every 3 or 4 days for up to 8 weeks and then only as needed to control dandruff.

Comments:

• The shampoo should be applied to completely wet hair, lathered generously, and then rinsed thoroughly; this should be repeated.
• The shampoo should not be used on a broken or inflamed scalp.

Uses: To control flaking, scaling, and itching associated with dandruff

Renal Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Liver Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Precautions

Safety and efficacy of the 2% cream and 2% shampoo have not been established in patients younger than 18 years. Safety and efficacy of the 2% foam, 2% gel, and 1% shampoo have not been established in patients younger than 12 years.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:

• Only use topically/externally; avoid contact with the eyes, nostrils, mouth, and vagina.
• Foam: Holding container upright, dispense an amount sufficient to cover affected area(s) into the cap of the can or onto another cool surface; do not dispense directly onto hands (foam will immediately melt upon contact with warm skin); use fingertips to pick up small amounts of foam and massage into affected area(s) gently until foam disappears; if hair-bearing area, part hair and apply directly to skin (not on hair).

Storage requirements:

• Cream: Store at 20C to 25C (68F to 77F).
• Foam: Store at 20C to 25C (68F to 77F); do not refrigerate; do not expose containers to heat, store above 49C (120F), or store in direct sunlight.
• Gel: Store at 25C (77F); excursions permitted to 15C to 30C (59F to 86F).
• Shampoo: 1%: Store between 2C and 30C (35F and 86F), protect from light and freezing; 2%: Store at 20C to 25C (68F to 77F), protect from light.

General:

• Patients should be reevaluated and the diagnosis reconsidered if no improvement is noted after completion of the treatment period.
• Safety and efficacy of the foam and gel have not been established to treat fungal infections.

Patient advice:

• If an allergic reaction (e.g., generalized rash, skin reactions, severe swelling, dyspnea) develops, stop this drug and consult physician at once.
• Stop this drug and contact healthcare provider if irritation occurs or the condition worsens.
• When using the foam or gel: Read the US FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information); wash hands after use; avoid fire, flame, and/or smoking during and immediately after use
• When using the foam: If product gets in the eyes, mouth, or vagina, rinse areas well with water; do not puncture and/or incinerate container.
• When using the 1% shampoo: If product gets into the eyes, rinse thoroughly with water; if condition worsens or does not improve in 2 to 4 weeks or if rash develops, stop using this product and consult physician.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer