Sporanox

What is Sporanox?

Sporanox is a capsule that treats onychomycosis, also known as fungal infections of the nails. It can be used to treat infected nails on both the hands and feet. It contains itraconazole, which belongs to a class of medications called azoles. Azoles stop fungal cells from growing and spreading.

Fungal nail infections are often caused by the same fungi that cause athlete’s foot.^[1] Usually, these fungi live on your skin harmlessly, but certain conditions can make them multiply and cause an infection. If you have athlete’s foot, the fungus causing it can spread from your skin to your nails.

You can also develop a fungal nail infection in other ways. Damaged nails, a weakened immune system, or preexisting conditions such as diabetes can make you more likely to get an infection. If topical treatments don’t work, a doctor might recommend capsules like Sporanox, as they target your whole system and tackle the infection from within.

How does Sporanox work?

Sporanox works by disrupting the growth and spread of fungus. This eventually causes the fungi to die, allowing your infected nail to heal.

Fungal nail infections can vary in severity, but they always need treating as they won’t improve on their own. For mild infections, topical treatments such as lacquers and creams might be enough to clear the fungus. But for more serious infections, where the entire nail is infected, topicals might not be enough to penetrate the nail bed and destroy the fungus.

This is where azoles like Sporanox might help — as they work within your whole system, they can treat infections that lie deep within your nail.

What doses of Sporanox are there?

Sporanox is available as capsules that contain 100mg of itraconazole. The amount you’ll be advised to take, and how you take it, will differ person-to-person.

The capsules can be taken continuously; this usually means swallowing two capsules a day for around 12 weeks. This should be long enough to kill the fungus, and allow a new, healthy nail to grow out in its place.

Itraconazole, the active ingredient in Sporanox, can also be used to treat fungal infections in a way known as ‘pulse therapy’. Pulse therapy, or pulse dosing, involves taking a higher dose of medication over a short period of time, followed by a long period of time where you’re medication-free. In one study that looked at using itraconazole this way to manage fungal nail and skin infections, it was shown to have an effective cure rate while being safe to use.^[2]

How to take Sporanox

Swallow the capsules whole with a drink of water. It’s recommended you take Sporanox right after you’ve eaten, as this will help your body absorb the medication.

If you use any treatments for heartburn, stomach ulcers or indigestion that might affect stomach acid production, take these two hours after you’ve swallowed your capsules. This is because Sporanox requires you to have a certain amount of stomach acid in order to work most effectively, and medications that interfere with stomach acid could prevent Sporanox from working properly.

How long does Sporanox take to work?

There’s no guarantee of how long Sporanox will take to clear your nail fungus. If you’ve been prescribed the capsules, it usually means your infection hasn’t responded well to topical treatments, or seems severe enough to need medicine that’s absorbed into your bloodstream.

Fungal nail infections can be persistent, and treatment with polishes can last for up to a year.^[1] Oral tablets and capsules that contain itraconazole and terbinafine are typically prescribed for three months at a time.

Keeping on top of your foot hygiene can help clear fungal nail and athlete’s foot infections faster. Dermatophytes, the fungus that causes both conditions, thrives in warm, moist environments. Changing your socks regularly, wearing breathable shoes, and thoroughly drying your feet can all help reduce the fungi’s chances of survival. Sticking to these sorts of routines can also prevent the infection returning.

What should I do if I make a mistake when using Sporanox?

You should always take Sporanox exactly how it’s been prescribed. If you take more capsules than you need, go to your nearest hospital’s emergency department for help. Bring the box your capsules came in, so you can get the right help as soon as possible.

If you forget to take your dose at the usual time, swallow the capsules as soon as you remember. If it’s close to the time your next dose is due, just skip the missed dose and carry on with your usual routine.