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ketoconazole vs oxybutynin

Side-by-side comparison of ketoconazole and oxybutynin. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

Mean oxybutynin chloride plasma concentrations were approximately 2 fold higher when Oxybutynin chloride extended-release tablets were administered with ketoconazole, a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor. (7) Co-administration with strong cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole) increases the systemic exposure of oxybutynin.

Recommendation: Your doctor may need to lower your dose of oxybutynin and monitor you closely for side effects.

Drug Class
ketoconazole Azole Antifungal
oxybutynin Anticholinergic / Antispasmodic
Type
ketoconazole Over-the-Counter
oxybutynin Prescription
Summary
ketoconazole

Ketoconazole shampoo is an antifungal medicine. It treats a fungal infection on your skin.

oxybutynin

Oxybutynin extended-release tablets help control an overactive bladder. It reduces the feeling of needing to go to the bathroom often.

What It Treats
ketoconazole

This shampoo treats tinea versicolor, a fungal infection. This infection can cause patches on your skin that are lighter or darker than the surrounding skin. These patches may appear on your trunk, neck, arms, and upper thighs.

oxybutynin

This medicine treats overactive bladder. It helps with symptoms like needing to urinate frequently, feeling a sudden urge to urinate, and leaking urine. It can also treat overactive bladder in children 6 years and older caused by nerve problems.

How It Works
ketoconazole

Ketoconazole is an antifungal medicine. It works by stopping the growth of the fungus. This helps to clear up the infection.

oxybutynin

Oxybutynin belongs to a class of drugs called antimuscarinics. It works by relaxing the bladder muscles. This helps to decrease the urge to urinate and prevent leakage.

Common Side Effects
ketoconazole

No common side effects listed.

oxybutynin
  • Dry mouth
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Feeling sleepy
FAERS Reports
ketoconazole
  • Feeling tired 929
  • Itching 902
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 834
  • Skin breakout 802
  • Loose stool 760
oxybutynin
  • Feeling tired 1,539
  • Falling down 1,466
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 1,211
  • Feeling unsteady or lightheaded 1,143
  • Loose, watery stools 1,078
Serious Warnings
ketoconazole

You should not use this shampoo if you are allergic to ketoconazole or any of the other ingredients.

oxybutynin

Oxybutynin can cause swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat (angioedema). If this happens, stop taking the medicine right away and get medical help. This medicine can also cause confusion, hallucinations, and drowsiness. Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how it affects you. Use caution if you have dementia, Parkinson's disease, myasthenia gravis, or decreased gut motility.

Pregnancy
ketoconazole

It is not known if ketoconazole shampoo can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before using this medicine.

oxybutynin

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if this medicine will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This ketoconazole vs oxybutynin Comparison

ketoconazole is classified in the Azole Antifungal drug class, while oxybutynin sits within the Anticholinergic / Antispasmodic class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are split between OTC and prescription status, which affects access and supervision.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, ketoconazole has 4,227 submissions while oxybutynin has 6,437. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to ketoconazole blocks the enzyme that breaks down oxybutynin, which can cause the amount of oxybutynin in your body to double.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between ketoconazole and oxybutynin - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.