Ketoconazole BP refers to Ketoconazole as specified in the British Pharmacopoeia, which sets standards for the quality of medicines in the United Kingdom. It is an imidazole antifungal medication used to treat and prevent various fungal and yeast infections.
Uses:
Ketoconazole BP is used to treat a range of fungal infections, including:
- Systemic fungal infections: Such as blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis, chromomycosis, and paracoccidioidomycosis, particularly in patients who haven't responded to or cannot tolerate other treatments.
- Skin and nail infections: Such as athlete's foot (tinea pedis), ringworm (tinea corporis), jock itch (tinea cruris), and fungal infections of the nails (onychomycosis) - However, oral ketoconazole is generally not the first-line treatment for these due to potential side effects. Topical formulations (cream, shampoo, gel) are more commonly used for these conditions.
- Seborrheic dermatitis: A common skin condition causing scaly, itchy skin, often on the scalp. Ketoconazole shampoo and cream are frequently used to manage this.
- Tinea versicolor (pityriasis versicolor): A fungal infection that causes discolored patches on the skin.
- Cutaneous candidiasis: Yeast infections of the skin.
- Endogenous Cushing's syndrome: In Europe, oral ketoconazole is also used to treat this condition by inhibiting cortisol production.
- Dandruff: Ketoconazole shampoo (1%) is available over the counter for treating dandruff.
