Biotral Capsule

Composition Itraconazole (100mg)
Rx Prescription Required
Pack strip of 10 capsules
Storage Store below 30°C
Chemical Class Azoles {Triazoles}
Action Class Fungal ergosterol synthesis inhibitor
Habbit Forming No
Manufacturer Bioderma Solutions
Manufacturer address 1103 Mondeal Square, Prahladnagar Road,Opposite Karnavati Club, S G High Way, Ahmedabad.

Biotral Capsule should be taken in the dose and duration as prescribed by your doctor. It should be swallowed whole and can be taken with food. To get the most benefit, take this medicine at evenly spaced times and continue using it until your prescription is finished, even if your symptoms disappear after a few days. If you stop the treatment too early, the infection may return and if you miss doses you can increase your risk of infections that are resistant to further treatment. Tell your doctor if the infection does not get better or if it gets worse.

The most common side effects of this medicine include nausea, common cold, cough, blurred vision, and a problem with menstrual periods. You could ask your doctor about ways of preventing or reducing these effects. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction like severe skin rash, tingling, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. 

Do not take it if you are pregnant or could become pregnant unless your doctor has told you to. Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you have ever had heart failure, a weak immune system (including HIV/AIDS), kidney problems, or liver problems such as yellow skin (jaundice). This medicine may not be suitable for you. If your course of treatment is for more than a month, your doctor may want to check your liver by testing your blood.

Treatment of Fungal infections

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Biotral Capsule is to be taken with food.

Biotral Capsule is an antifungal medication. It kills fungi by destroying the fungal cell membrane. This treats your skin infection.

If you miss a dose of Biotral Capsule, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

Biotral Capsule helps treat fungal infections of mouth, skin, vagina or any other parts of the body.

Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better.

Take it with food, preferably at the same time everyday.

Use a reliable method of contraception to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.

Do not take indigestion remedies (antacids) within two hours of taking Biotral Capsule.

Your doctor may check your liver function before starting treatment and regularly thereafter. Inform your doctor if you notice yellowing of eyes or skin, dark urine, or stomach pain.

Inform your doctor if you develop allergic reactions, nerve pain, or hearing loss.

Q. What is Biotral Capsule used for?

Biotral Capsule is used to treat fungal infections caused by Trichophyton spp., Microsporum spp., and Epidermophyton floccosum. The infections caused could be ringworm infection, infection of the feet, or infection in the groin and buttocks. This medicine also treats persistent infection of fingernails and toenails, persistent candida (yeast) infections of vagina or candida (yeast) infections of the mouth or throat in patients with lower disease resistance. It is also used in the treatment of cryptococcal infection and infections caused by Histoplasma, aspergillus, and Blastomyces.

Q. For how long do I need to take Biotral Capsule?

The dose and length of treatment depends on the type and site of infection and your response to the treatment. For example, if you are taking Biotral Capsule for athlete’s foot (fungal infection of the skin on the feet and between the toes), the dose may need to be taken for 30 days, on the other hand, if you are taking it for candidal infection of the vagina, the dose may span from 1 day to 3 days depending on the dosage advised by the doctor.

Q. What should I do if I skip a dose of Biotral Capsule?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not double the dose to make up for the forgotten dose.

Q. I am taking Biotral Capsule for nail infection but there does not seem to be any improvement. Can I stop taking it?

No, you should not stop taking Biotral Capsule without completing the entire course because doing so may not completely cure the fungal infection. It usually takes about 6-9 months for nail lesions to disappear because after the medicine eliminates the fungus, the new nail takes several months to grow. Do not worry if you do not see any improvement during the treatment.

Q. Why has my doctor asked me to get blood tests done?

Your doctor is probably trying to monitor your liver’s functioning. Biotral Capsule may cause serious liver damage. Therefore, if you develop loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, or abdominal pain while taking Biotral Capsule, you should tell your doctor immediately.

Q. Can I take antacid and Biotral Capsule together?

Biotral Capsule can be utilized by the body if there is sufficient acid in the stomach. Medicines for stomach ulcers, heartburn, or indigestion neutralize the acid produced by the stomach. Therefore, take antacids or any such medicine about 2 hours after taking Biotral Capsule. If you are taking antacids (medicines that stop the production of stomach acid), take Biotral Capsule capsules with a drink of cola.

Q. What is drug resistance? Is it possible to develop resistance to Biotral Capsule?

Sometimes it happens that the fungi get modified in your body and the medicine no longer works. This is called drug resistance. Resistance to Biotral Capsule has been reported with some candida species (krusei, glabrata, and tropicalis). Biotral Capsule should not be used for infection caused due to these species. Take the complete course of Biotral Capsule to avoid drug resistance.

Q. I have been on alprazolam for quite some time. Is it okay if I start Biotral Capsule now?

Yes, you can take both Alprazolam and Biotral Capsule together, but keep a watch on the side effects of alprazolam such as lightheadedness or drowsiness. If side effects appear after taking Biotral Capsule, talk to your doctor who will modify the dose of alprazolam.

Q. My doctor prescribed Biotral Capsule to me but not to my friend who had a similar fungal infection because she was on dofetilide. Why is it so?

Your doctor did not prescribe Biotral Capsule to your friend because Biotral Capsule interferes with the working of dofetilide. This interference can cause disturbed electrical activity of the heart, which can be harmful to the patient.

In Treatment of Fungal infections

Biotral Capsule is an antifungal medicine. It is used to treat infections in different parts of the body caused by fungi. It works by killing and stopping the growth of fungi. This provides relief from various symptoms caused by the infection and speeds up the healing process. You should keep taking the medicine until you complete the dose even if you get better. This will prevent the infection from returning.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Menstrual disorder

Blurred vision

Cough

Common cold

Nausea

Alcohol:CAUTION

Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Biotral Capsule. Please consult your doctor.

Pregnancy:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Biotral Capsule may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.

Breast feeding:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Biotral Capsule is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.

Driving:UNSAFE

Biotral Capsule may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.Biotral Capsule can sometimes cause dizziness, blurred/double vision or hearing loss. This may affect your ability to drive.

Kidney:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

There is limited information available on the use of Biotral Capsule in patients with kidney disease. Please consult your doctor.

Liver:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

There is limited information available on the use of Biotral Capsule in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.Inform your doctor if you develop signs of jaundice like yellowing of eyes and skin, itching, and clay colored stools while taking this medicine.

Bennett JE. Antifungal Agents. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1576-79.

Sheppard D, Lampiris HW. Antifungal Agents. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 839-40.

Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 749-51.

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