|  | Conditions Treatments | Illness

Sporanox & Liver Damage

Sporanox (itraconazole) is a powerful drug which doctors may prescribe to treat serious fungal infections. Among other side effects, Sporanox has been associated with serious hepatic (liver) toxicity, resulting in some cases in liver failure and even death. This can happen to anyone, but doctors can carefully screen patients to reduce the risk of liver problems. Patients must also monitor themselves for potential liver-related symptoms.

  1. Function

    • Sporanox is a 100-mg capsule designed to treat serious fungal infections. These include Blastomycosis, which affects the bones, lungs and skin; histoplasmosis, which affects the blood, heart, and lungs; aspergillosis, which affects the kidneys and lungs; and onychomycosis, which infects the fingernails and toenails. Sporanox oral solution (10 ml doses) is prescribed to treat candidiasis (yeast infection) of the esophagus, mouth and throat. The two forms of Sporanox cannot be used interchangeably.

    Side Effects

    • According to Drugs.com, common side effects may include anxiety, bursitis, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, gas, headache, high blood pressure, indigestion, injury, muscle pain, nasal and sinus inflammation, nausea, pain, rash, respiratory infection, swelling due to water retention, urinary infection and vomiting. Additional side effects that may be seen with the oral solution are back pain, blood in the urine, breathing difficulty, chest pain, cough, dehydration, difficulty swallowing, hemorrhoids, hot flushes, impaired speech, inflamed mouth, insomnia, pneumonia, shivering, sweating, vision problems and weight loss

    Warning

    • Doctors should not prescribe Sporanox to anyone with cardiac problems such as congestive heart failure. Doctors must carefully weigh the risks versus benefits for people with kidney disease or those with immune disorders such as HIV/AIDS. Doctors must also carefully interview patients regarding other medications they are taking, as there are many drugs that interact with Sporanox.

    Liver Damage

    • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a 2009 update to its 2001 consumer advisory regarding Sporanox. As of March 2001, the FDA had reviewed 24 cases of liver failure possibly associated with Sporanox use, including 11 deaths. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), signs of liver failure include abdominal pain, dark urine, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, skin discoloration (jaundice) and vomiting. Report any of these signs to your doctor immediately.

    Considerations

    • You should discontinue use of Sporanox and allow your doctor to evaluate other possible courses of treatment for your fungal infection. Your doctor should test your liver function. According to RxList.com, you should not continue or restart Sporanox, as the situation can only get worse.

Illness - Related Articles