What is Levoketoconazole?
Levoketoconazole can be used to treat elevated cortisol in adults who are suffering from Cushing’s syndrome but cannot undergo surgery. This also applies to those who had surgery and it did not work.Levoketoconazole does not treat fungal infections.Levoketoconazole can be used in other ways not mentioned in the medication guide.
Side effects of Levoketoconazole
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergy: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling in your lips, face, throat, or tongue
Levoketoconazole can cause severe side effects. If you experience:
- You may experience rapid or pounding pulses, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
- Liver problems: loss of appetite, pain in the upper right corner of your stomach, fatigue, itchiness, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice
- Reduced adrenal gland hormones: nausea and vomiting; stomach pain or discomfort; fatigue; or feeling light-headed. Muscle or joint pain Skin discoloration.
- Males: breast enlargement and erectile dysfunction
- Females: low desire for sexual activity and mood fluctuations;
- Low potassium level—leg cramps Constipation; nervousness, weakness, or an irregular heartbeat
- If you feel faint or lightheaded, then this is a serious condition.
Side effects common to levoketoconazole include:
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, upset stomach;
- Low potassium
- Easy bleeding is bruising that occurs easily.
- High blood pressure
- Headache;
- Abnormal uterine bleeding;
- Redness of the skin
- Tiredness;
- Back pain and muscle
- Sleep problems
- Fluid retention;
- Symptoms of a cold, including a stuffy nose and a sore throat.
There may be other side effects.Call your physician for medical advice regarding side effects. Report side effects by calling the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Similar/related drugs
Dexamethasone, Decadron, Cyproheptadine, and Mifepristone
Warnings
If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately: swelling in your abdomen, pain on the right side of your stomach, loss of appetite, and dark urine.Levoketoconazole may also lead to serious heart problems. If you experience rapid or pounding pulses, dizziness, or shortness of breath, call your doctor immediately.
Before you take this drug
If you're allergic to it, ketoconazole, or have any of the following:
- Liver problems
- A heart rhythm disorder,
- Long QT Syndrome
Take levoketoconazole only if you are not taking any other medications that may cause QT prolongation or alter the way your liver functions.
If you've ever:
- Liver problems
- Gallstones;
- A heart rhythm disorder.
- Congestive heart failure;
- Long QT syndrome (in yourself or in a member of your family);
- An electrolyte balance (such as low potassium or magnesium levels in the blood)
Can harm an unborn child. Inform your doctor of any pregnancy or plans to get pregnant.Levoketoconazole can affect the fertility of men and women. While either parent uses levoketoconazole, it could make pregnancy more difficult. Speak to your doctor regarding your risks.You should not breastfeed for 1 to 2 days after taking this medication.
How to take Levoketoconazole?
Read all the instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all the directions. Follow the directions on your prescription label.Take levoketoconazole either with food or without.If you experience certain side effects, your treatment could be altered, delayed, or discontinued permanently.Before and after treatment, you will be required to take blood tests in order to monitor your electrolytes and liver function.Electrocardiograms (also called EKGs) are used by doctors to check the heart's function.You will be asked to provide blood or urine for your doctor to test for cortisol.Keep away from heat and moisture at room temperature.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for Cushing's syndrome:
First dose: Take 150mg orally, twice daily.
Maintenance dosage: Increase the dose by 150mg daily, no more than twice a month, based on cortisol-free urine levels for 24 hours and the tolerance of the patient.
Dosage maximum: 1200mg per day (600 mg administered twice daily)
When surgery has failed to cure Cushing syndrome or isn't an option, use this treatment for endogenous hypercortisolemia.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Do not take the dose you missed. Use your next dose as usual. Use only one dose at a time.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Don't drink alcohol. Side effects can be dangerous.
Interaction with other drug
Certain medicines may make it more difficult for you to absorb levoketoconazole. Take your antacid 2 hours prior to taking levoketoconazole. Inform your doctor if other stomach acid-reducing medications are being taken, including Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, Protonix, Zantac, and more.It is sometimes not a good idea to take certain medications at the same time. Some medicines can cause your blood level of another drug to increase, increasing side effects and making the medicine less effective.Levoketoconazole may cause serious problems with the heart. You may have a higher risk if you use other medications for infection, asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, mental illnesses, cancer, malaria, or HIV.Levoketoconazole can be affected by many drugs. These include prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medicines. This list does not include all interactions. Inform your doctor of all the medications you are taking.
