Itraconazole and its Use in Horses

Introduction

Itraconazole (IZ) is a triazole antifungal IZ that has shown efficacy against a variety of pathogenic fungi, including yeasts and dermatophytes including many strains of Candida, Aspergillus, Cryptococcus, Histoplasma, Blastomyces and Trypanosoma cruzi. IZ may have fewer side effects than ketoconazole. In horses, IZ may be useful in the treatment of many of the more common fungal infections and some of the more difficult to treat problems while being less toxic than Itraconazole B. This article discusses the indications, use, precautions, and dosages of itraconazole. It also contains scientific reports about itraconazole use in horses.

Uses

In horses, IZ may be useful in the treatment of sporotrichosis and Coccidioides immitis osteomyelitis, fungal keratitis, Candida metritis and some other susceptible fungal infections conditions. IZ has very high protein binding and is widely distributed throughout the body, particularly to tissues high in lipids (drug is highly lipophilic). Skin, uterus and pus all have concentrations greater than found in the serum. Only minimal concentration are found in the CSF, aqueous humor and saliva.