Ketoconazole Soap

ethanone, 1-[4-[4-[[(2S,4R)-2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]-1-piperazinyl]-

Ketoconazole, is an antifungal medication used to treat a number of fungal infections.^[8] Applied to the skin it is used for fungal skin infections such as tinea, cutaneous candidiasis, pityriasis versicolor, dandruff, and seborrheic dermatitis.^[9] Taken by mouth it is a less preferred option and only recommended for severe infections when other agents cannot be used.^[8] Other uses include in the treatment of excessive hair growth and Cushing's syndrome.^[8]

Common side effects when applied to the skin include redness.^[9] Common side effects when taken by mouth include nausea, headache, and liver problems.^[8] Liver problems may result in death or the need for a liver transplantation.^[8][10] Other severe side effect when taken by mouth include QT prolongation, adrenocortical insufficiency, and anaphylaxis.^[8][10] It is an imidazole and works by affecting the production of ergosterol required for the fungal cell membrane thereby slowing growth.^[8]

Ketoconazole was patented in 1977 and came into medical use in 1981.^[11] It is available as a generic medication and formulations that are applied to the skin are over the counter in the United Kingdom.^[9] In 2017, it was the 219th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than two million prescriptions.^[12][13] The formulation that is taken by mouth was withdrawn in the European Union and in Australia in 2013^[14][15] and in China in 2015.^[16] In addition, its use was restricted in the United States and Canada in 2013.^[15]