Nizoral® shampoo

Before you start to use Nizoral shampoo, please read this leaflet carefully.
If you have any questions, please ask your doctor or pharmacist. Please do not throw this leaflet away since you may want to read if again.

What is your Medicine?                   to order

The active ingredient in Nizoral shampoo is ketoconazole. Each gram (g) of Nizoral shampoo contains 2 milligrams (mg) of ketoconazole.
Like other shampoos, Nizoral shampoo also contains other ingredients that clean your hair. The other ingredients are sodium lauryl ether sulphate, disodium monolauryl ether sulphosuccinate, coconut fatty acid diethanolamide, laurdimonium hydrotysed animal collagen, macrogel 120-methyl glucose dioleate, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, imidurea, hydrochloric acid, erythrosine and purified water.
Dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis are associated with increased numbers of a type of fungus (yeast) called Pityrosporum. This occurs naturally on everyone's skin, however, people with dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis seem to have more Pityrisporum than usual. Tinea versicolor (otherwise known as pityriasis versicolor), a condition, which causes white to brown patches to develop on parts of the body, is also associated with Pityrosporum. Nizoral shampoo is one of a group of products called anti fungal, which are used to treat such conditions and work by destroying the fungus. Nizoral shampoo is available to the pharmacist as bottles containing 120 ml.

What is your medicine for?

Nizoral shampoo is used to treat and prevent fungal infections on the scalp and body, such as:

• dandruff
• a dry or greasy scaling of scalp and other parts of the body (seborrhoeic dermatitis)
• irregular white to brown patches which occur on the body and sometimes appear after being in the sun (tinea/pityriasis versicolor).

These conditions may be itchy.
REMEMBER - This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not give it to, anyone else.

When not to use your medicine?

If you have had an allergic reaction to Nizoral shampoo or any of the above ingredients in the past, then do not use this shampoo.
Inform your doctor before using the medicine if you think this applies to you. Your doctor will decide whether Nizoral shampoo is suitable for you. If in any doubt about the above, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Do I need to take any special precautions?

As with most shampoos, if any gets into your eyes, bathe them gently with cold water. If you have been using a lotion or cream for a longtime, which contains a steroid (such as betamethasone or hydrocortisone), then you will need to gradually use it less and less over 2-3 weeks while you start to use Nizoral shampoo. This will stop your condition flaring up while Nizoral shampoo starts to work. Should you have any questions concerning using your steroid lotion or cream, please speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Use of your medicine during Pregnancy and Breast Feeding.

Nizoral shampoo can be used if you are pregnant and during breast feeding.

How to use your medicine

Nizoral shampoo is for external use only.
Wash your hair or any affected skin with Nizoral shampoo and leave it for 3 to 5 minutes before rinsing.
For dandruff or dry/greasy scaling of the skin: To start with, use Nizoral shampoo twice a week (every 3 or 4 days) for 2-4 weeks. After that, use the shampoo once every 1-2 weeks to prevent the symptoms returning. If your hair If your hair requires washing between treatments, you can use an ordinary shampoo.
For white/brawn patches on the skin: Treat the affected areas With Nizoral shampoo once a day for up for 5 days. These patches can become more apparent on exposure to the sun. This effect can be reduced by a single 3-day course of Nizoral shampoo applied immediately before exposure to the sun.
Do not use Nizoral shampoo more often than directed. If you need to use a shampoo more often, you can use your usual shampoo. If your hair is very thick or long you can wash with your usual shampoo and then use Nizoral shampoo.

If you swallow some of your medicine?

Accidental swallowing is normally harmless but as with all externally used products you should tell your doctor straight away.

What might happen if you stop using the shampoo?

Once your dandruff or seborrhoeic dermatitis has cleared, you can control it and stop it coming back by using Nizoral shampoo regularly once every one or two weeks. If you stop using your Nizoral shampoo altogether then your dandruff or seborrhoeic dermatitis may become a problem again.

What you should do if you miss an application of the shampoo

Do not worry if you miss an application of Nizoral shampoo. You should resume your treatment as soon as you remember.

Can this shampoo have any undesirable effects?

Undesirable effects are unlikely, but like other shampoos Nizoral shampoo may very rarely cause irritation, itching, a burning sensation and dry or greasy hair.
Dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis can cause some hair loss, which has been reported with Nizoral shampoo. Occasionally hair discoloration has been reported. This mainly occurs in patients with gray hair or hair that has been treated frequently with agents such as colors, bleaches or perms. If Nizoral shampoo affects you in this or any other way, then please stop using it and ten your pharmacist or doctor.

How to store your medicine

Nizoral shampoo should be kept in a safe place where children cannot reach it. Store at 25°C or below. Please do not use the shampoo after the expiry date printed on the label. If you have any Nizoral shampoo left over which you no longer need, please return it to your pharmacist

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