ISOCONAZOLE: WHAT IT IS FOR, COMPOSITION AND USES - MEDICINE - 2025

The Isoconazole is a dermatological drug used to combat fungi and skin infections caused by microbes. It is considered a broad spectrum drug, so it can act against a very wide variety of pathogens and not just against some particular strains.

Therefore, Isoconazole is a very effective means both for the control and for the elimination of skin discomforts that are caused by a large number of microbes and fungi that damage dermatological health.

One of its characteristics is that it easily penetrates the skin. Thanks to its rapid action, microorganisms do not grow and therefore their development on a large scale is canceled. This is essentially what defines antifungals.

This antifungal and antimicrobial medicine can be purchased as a cream or as a liquid solution. The total amounts of the medicine vary according to the size of the tube.

Isoconazole can also be found in a vaginal cream, used to treat genital infections. In this case, its composition is somewhat different from the traditional Isoconazole that is used to attack problems such as athlete's foot.

This medicine is a product of Bayer laboratories. The information that I give you below is only of a general nature and is not related to the official version of the pharmaceutical company.

In any case, before using this pharmaceutical product, it is recommended that you consult a doctor.

Composition of Isoconazole

The formula, components and active ingredients of Isoconazole may be different depending on the presentation and the type of area to which the drug is directed. It depends on whether the Isoconazole is vaginal or general. The latter for more common cases of fungal and microbe infections on the skin.

As has been said before, the figures of its ingredients vary depending on whether it is in the form of a cream, liquid solution or spray (in aerosol, of those that are sprayed).

However, the only thing that does remain constant is the value of its active ingredient, which gives it its name: isoconazole nitrate, which represents 1% of the total composition per 100 grams / milliliters of the drug, which is equivalent to 1 gram of it.

In addition to the essential excipients that are always in all drugs, Isoconazole can also have 20 grams of propylene glycol and 64.37 grams of ethyl alcohol, in the case of the liquid solution.

Pharmacology

Isoconazole is among the pharmacotherapeutic derivatives of imidazole and triazole. Given its easy absorption through the skin, Isoconazole is a drug with absolute metabolism (that is, it is fully processed in the human body) that is rapidly eliminated from the body.

At the time of the application of Isoconazole, the concentrations of its active principle become high and increase more in the presence of skin lesions, mainly in its deepest parts.

Isoconazole pharmacokinetics is characterized by being expelled from the body within 24 hours, either through urine or bile. In that course of time, the drug passes through the skin and is able to control the microorganisms that are in the area undergoing treatment.

It does not matter if the cause of the infection is mold, yeast or dermatophytes. All three are common types of mushrooms. Microbes and other pathogens associated with mycosis infections are not included.

To date, scientific studies carried out in the laboratory have shown that Isoconazole has no chemical consequences in the human body, at least with regard to its mutagenic and tumorogenic potential.

In other words, Isoconazole penetrates tissues without risk of causing mutations or tumors, so it is not a drug that can be carcinogenic. It does not alter in the least the internal and external structure of skin cells.

Indications

The use of Isoconazole is usually indicated to combat skin infections that have been generated by fungi and bacteria. As already mentioned, Isoconazole is a broad spectrum antifungal and antimicrobial that inhibits the growth of many varieties of microorganisms.

It is applied in areas where there are folds in the skin, such as the groin, the spaces between the fingers and toes, the armpits, and the inside of the elbow and knee.

More specifically, Isoconazole is widely used to treat superficial fungal infections, athlete's foot, ringworm of the hand and feet, and other types of ringworm (for example, jock itch, jock itch, ringworm of the body, and ringworm head).

Additionally, Isoconazole is also applied against pityriasis versicolor, erythrasma and candidiasis. It should also be said that Isoconazole is used to attack candidomycetic balanitis, as well as in genital infections.

Dosage

Each dose must be monitored by the doctor. Isoconazole is usually applied once a day to the affected area. The total treatment time, which must be administered through the skin, can last from one to four weeks. It depends on the resistance of the microorganisms to fight. However, it can be extended for up to two more weeks in order to prevent relapse.

The area where Isoconazole is sprayed must be covered with clean bandages or stockings that must be changed daily. In the same way, it is highly recommended that the nails are short and clean when Isoconazole is applied on them.

Similar advice is valid for skin infected with fungi and microbes, since hygiene is of fundamental value for the treatment to be successful without the risk of reappearance of these mycoses.

Dirty skin and nails, in fact, are hotbeds of microorganisms that accumulate even more when wet, hampering the effect of Isoconazole.

It should be noted that Isoconazole is a drug whose application has so far been documented in adults. For this reason, it has not been classified as a medicine that can be used in children or adolescents under 18 years of age; It is therefore not a pediatric product.

Therefore, the use of Isoconazole in said juvenile population must have the supervision of a dermatologist, who will give the appropriate indications for each case of mycosis.

Contraindications

As with all medicines, Isoconazole should not be used when the patient has an allergy and hypersensitivity to the components of the formula, especially if their body does not tolerate imidazoles.

However, if Isoconazole is used despite these conditions, it should always be done with the prior advice of the doctor. Skin infection should be studied and both the risks and benefits of this medicine should be weighed in such circumstances.

Likewise, Isoconazole is contraindicated when adverse reactions arise, which I will detail in the next section. In this case, the administration should be stopped immediately.

If this should happen, the dermatologist should be consulted as soon as possible, presenting the container of the liquid solution or the tube of cream of the product, avoiding at all times the patient's self-medication to alleviate their symptoms.

In addition, Isoconazole is not restricted to pregnant women, as evidence has shown that its active principles do not pass to the fetus during pregnancy.

Although it is unlikely that these pass into breast milk, it is not ruled out that Isoconazole can be ingested by the baby during breastfeeding, so it is important to take precautions in this regard, such as not using the drug on the nipples.

Nor is Isoconazole restricted by age, except for minors in general. Treatment should not be suspended due to other conditions and drugs the patient is taking, I will explain the interactions below.

This medicine can be applied safely for driving vehicles or operating machines, as it does not cause drowsiness. Isoconazole does not pose a risk to the fertility of the individual who uses it in the genital areas.

Adverse reactions

Isoconazole is well tolerated by the human body. However, a number of side effects can arise unexpectedly, listed below by how often they occur where this medication is applied on the skin:

Frequent

Burning and irritation.

Infrequent

Itching, dryness, contact dermatitis, skin dehydration (dyshidrosis, lack or loss of water in the skin) and exudative eczema.

Not frequent

Fissures or cracks and inflammations in the skin.

Unknown frequency

Allergic reactions, appearance of vesicles (bladders of the epidermis that contain serous fluid inside) and erythema (inflammation of the skin with red spots).

So far no side effects have been observed as a result of Isoconazole overdose, or its accidental ingestion by mouth. Neither for its use in areas larger than the one in which the mycosis occurs on the skin.

Even so, it is necessary to go to a medical assistance center if the patient shows symptoms such as those mentioned above, or also if the person shows signs of being intoxicated with the active ingredients of this medicine.

Precautions

The golden rule with Isoconazole is that it should not be applied when there are side effects or if the patient falls within the criteria described in the contraindications.

In addition, it is necessary to add other preventive measures, such as avoiding at all costs the contact of Isoconazole with the eyes and other mucous membranes that are not within the framework of the medical indications of this product.

It is convenient to add that Isoconazole is a flammable product, so it should not be used near fire or near objects that are hot. Similarly, it should not be used in children or adolescents unless the doctor indicates otherwise.

A dermatologist should be contacted in case skin infections do not subside with this drug. The same should be done if the skin experiences excessive dryness or any other suspicious symptoms.

It goes without saying that Isoconazole cannot effectively control or eliminate harmful microorganisms from the skin if certain minimum hygiene guidelines are not followed to the letter.

Therefore, it is worth reiterating that there must be a good cleaning of the affected area, particularly the nails and skin folds, with a daily change of clothing that is in direct contact with the infected parts.

Interactions

No scientific study carried out to date has shown the existence of interactions between Isoconazole and other drugs consumed by patients during the course of treatment.

However, it is recommended that the dermatologist be informed of any therapeutic substance that is being taken or applied, as this can help the specialist to better monitor its administration and better address the potential side effects that may arise.

References

1. Bayer Andina, Boticas Mi Salud (2010). Icaden; Egg for vaginal use, Isoconazole. Lima, Peru: Bayer SA Recovered from corporacionmisalud.com.
2. Virtual Health Library (2017). Icaden solution-spray (Isoconazole). Lima, Peru: National Institute of Health. Recovered from bvs.ins.gob.pe.
3. Ministry of Health, Presidency of the Nation (2015). Regulation 6394 - August 2015; Mupaten, Isoconazole. Buenos Aires, Argentina: ANMAT. Recovered from anmat.gov.ar.
4. Onmeda (2017). Medikamenten-Ratgeber; Wirkstoffe: Isoconazole. Berlin, Germany: Gofeminin. Recovered from onmeda.de.
5. PLM Central America (2014). Isoconazole Genfar. Panama City, Panama: PLM Medications. Recovered from medicinesplm.com.pa.
6. (2016). Isoconazole nitrate. México DF, México: Medicines PLM. Recovered from medicinesplm.com.
7. PRVademecum (2015). Mupaten; Bayer - Cream. Buenos Aires, Argentina: Clyna SA Recovered from ar.prvademecum.com.