ketoconazole vs tacrolimus topical
Side-by-side comparison of ketoconazole and tacrolimus topical. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
moderate Known Drug Interaction
Strong CYP3A Inhibitors : Protease inhibitors (e.g., nelfinavir, telaprevir, boceprevir, ritonavir), azole antifungals (e.g., voriconazole, posaconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole), antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, troleandomycin, chloramphenicol), nefazodone, letermovir, Schisandra sphenanthera extracts May increase tacrolimus whole blood trough concentrations and increase the risk of serious adverse reactions (e.g., neurotoxicity, QT prolongation).
Recommendation: Use this combination with caution as your doctor may need to lower your tacrolimus dose and watch for signs of toxicity.
Nizoral
Protopic
Ketoconazole shampoo is an antifungal medicine. It treats a fungal infection on your skin.
Tacrolimus extended-release capsules help prevent organ rejection in kidney transplant patients. It works by suppressing your immune system.
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.
This medicine is used to prevent your body from rejecting a new kidney after a transplant. It is for adult patients who can swallow capsules whole. You will take it with other medicines that also suppress your immune system.
Ketoconazole is an antifungal medicine. It works by stopping the growth of the fungus. This helps to clear up the infection.
Tacrolimus belongs to a class of drugs called calcineurin inhibitors. It lowers the activity of your immune system. This helps prevent your body from attacking your new kidney.
No common side effects listed.
- • Diarrhea
- • Constipation
- • Nausea
- • Swelling in your arms and legs
- • Tremors
- Feeling tired 929
- Itching 902
- Feeling sick to your stomach 834
- Skin breakout 802
- Loose stool 760
No adverse event reports.
You should not use this shampoo if you are allergic to ketoconazole or any of the other ingredients.
This medicine can increase your risk of serious infections and certain cancers. These problems could lead to hospitalization or even death. This drug is not approved for liver transplants and may increase the risk of death in female liver transplant patients.
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.
Tacrolimus can harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. There is a pregnancy registry to track outcomes in women who take tacrolimus during pregnancy.
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How to Read This ketoconazole vs tacrolimus topical Comparison
ketoconazole is classified in the Azole Antifungal drug class, while tacrolimus topical sits within the Calcineurin Inhibitor (Topical) 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 tacrolimus topical has 0. 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 moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to ketoconazole is a strong blocker of the enzyme that clears tacrolimus from your body, leading to much higher levels of the drug in your system.. 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 tacrolimus topical - 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.