Interactions Between Antifungal Oral Medications and Psychotropic Drugs: Be Aware

Antifungal medications, used to treat various fungal infections, can interact with psychiatric medications, resulting in potentially serious consequences. Understanding these interactions is crucial for safe medication use.

Key Points

• Antifungal oral medications can significantly affect the absorption, metabolism, and elimination of other drugs.
• Oral antifungals pose a higher risk of drug interactions compared to topical treatments.
• Antifungal and psychotropic drug interactions can be severe or even life-threatening.

Understanding Antifungal Medications

Antifungal medications work by inhibiting or killing fungal cells. They come in different forms, including topical (creams, sprays, powders) and oral (tablets, capsules). Common active ingredients include clotrimazole, miconazole, terbinafine, and tolnaftate.

Examples of oral antifungals include Canesten, Diflucan, Daktarin, Lamisil, Oravig, and Nystan.

Interactions with Antifungal Oral Medications and Psychotropic Drugs

Oral antifungals have a higher risk of drug interactions than topical treatments. For example, terbinafine can significantly increase blood levels of certain antidepressants, potentially causing toxic levels. Azole antifungals, such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, and fluconazole, also interact with several psychotropic medications.

Affected Psychotropic Medications

• Latuda (lurasidone and quetiapine)
• Seroquel (quetiapine)
• Risperdal (risperidone)
• Geodon (ziprasidone)

Signs and Symptoms of Drug Interactions

Interactions between antifungals and psychotropic medications may cause:

• Cardiac arrhythmias
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)
• Metabolic changes (weight gain, high blood sugar, high cholesterol)
• Edema (swelling of extremities)

Ensuring Safe Use of Antifungal Medications

To ensure safe use of antifungal medications in individuals taking psychotropic drugs:

• Inform your healthcare providers about all medications you are taking, including psychiatric drugs, to assess potential interactions.
• Follow dosage instructions carefully for both antifungal and psychiatric medications as prescribed.
• Read drug labels carefully for warnings and potential interactions.
• Consider alternative treatment options if necessary to avoid potential interactions.

When taking both antifungal oral medications and psychotropic drugs, exercise caution and monitor for signs of drug interactions. Consulting with a healthcare professional can help ensure safe and effective medication use.