Ketoconazole Topical Dosage
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 3, 2023.
Applies to the following strengths: 1%; 2%; 2% with cleanser
Usual Adult Dose for:
- Cutaneous Candidiasis
- Tinea Corporis
- Tinea Cruris
- Tinea Pedis
- Tinea Versicolor
- Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Dandruff
Usual Pediatric Dose for:
Additional dosage information:
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.
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Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.