Name: Ketoconazole
Published: Dec 19, 2023

Ketoconazole

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Reviewed on Dec 19, 2023. by Dr Daniel Atkinson GP Clinical Lead Registered with GMC (No. 4624794) Next review due on December 20, 2026.

Last updated on Dec 19, 2023.

Product info

Sun fungus, also known as tinea versicolor or pityriasis versicolor, is a skin infection caused by a yeast. Ketoconazole shampoo has an antifungal ingredient that stops the fungus from growing and helps clear up the infection.
Answer a few health questions, and our expert clinicians will give you personalised treatment recommendations. Order your tinea versicolor treatment online, and we’ll deliver it quickly and discreetly to your door.

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Ketoconazole: essential info
Ketoconazole: instructions
Important stuff you need to know
FAQ

What is Ketoconazole?

Ketoconazole is used to treat and prevent fungal infections on the skin and nails. Ketoconazole shampoo may be used for seborrhoeic dermatitis, dandruff (pityriasis capitis), and pityriasis versicolor caused by the fungus Pityrosporum (or Malassezia).

Pityriasis versicolor, also known as tinea versicolor or sun fungus, is a common and harmless fungal infection of the skin. It causes light or dark patches with fine scales, usually on your torso, neck and arms. The Malassezia fungus that causes this condition is normally present on your skin, so the condition is not contagious.^[1]
You might also find it comforting to know that tinea versicolor is a purely cosmetic condition. It’s not painful and doesn’t affect your overall health.

How does Ketoconazole work?

Ketoconazole belongs to a group of antifungal medicines called imidazoles (or simply azoles). Its mechanism of action involves reducing the fungi’s ability to synthesise ergosterol, a vital component of their membranes. By disrupting the production of ergosterol, the fungal cell membranes become weak and unstable, leading to a breakdown of essential cellular processes and eventually causing the fungus to die off.^[2]

Ketoconazole, along with other azole drugs like miconazole and clotrimazole, is a fungistatic, meaning it slows down fungal growth. It doesn’t kill the fungi straight away. Instead, it relies on the natural shedding of your skin, a process called epidermal turnover, to remove the fungus that’s still alive on your skin surface.^[3]

Treated trusted sources:

Leung, A.K., Barankin, B., Lam, J.M., Leong, K.F. and Hon, K.L. (2022). Tinea versicolor: an updated review. Drugs in Context, 11, pp.1–20.
Borgers, M., Van den Bossche, H. and De Brabander, M. (1983). The mechanism of action of the new antimycotic ketoconazole. The American Journal of Medicine, [online] 74(1, Part 2), pp.2–8.
Kyle, A.A. and Dahl, M.V. (2004). Topical therapy for fungal infections. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 5(6), pp.443–451.

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson on December 20, 2023. Next review due on December 20, 2026.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

FAQ: Ketoconazole

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Why should I buy Ketoconazole online with Treated?

Answer:

We've built our services with you in mind. Tell us about your symptoms and medical history, and our clinicians will offer treatment plans tailored to you. Once you've chosen the one you prefer, we'll safely deliver the medication to your door.

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How is Ketoconazole different from other treatments for tinea versicolor?

Answer:

If you’re looking for an alternative to Ketoconazole for tinea versicolor, there are plenty of options available. It all comes down to what symptoms you have and what you prefer. These options include creams, shampoos and foaming solutions, or oral medications if the condition is severe or keeps coming back. It’s also important to get regular follow-up care to prevent your condition from coming back.

Most cases of tinea versicolor respond well to topical treatments. Other common treatments include clotrimazole (Canesten) cream or selenium sulphide (Selsun) shampoo. Even though they all have different active ingredients, they work similarly well in treating tinea versicolor. In a study with 40 adult participants, ketoconazole 2% cream had a success rate of 90%, while clotrimazole 1% cream had 85%. No side effects were reported in either group.^[1]

If your tinea versicolor is more widespread and needs oral treatment, then you may need to take antifungal pills. These pills usually contain antifungal medications, like fluconazole and itraconazole, which are commonly used to manage the condition.

Ketoconazole tablets are another option for extensive tinea versicolor if other antifungal treatments aren’t suitable. But taking ketoconazole orally might harm your liver. For this reason, oral fluconazole is preferred, although it’s slightly less effective than ketoconazole — 87.9% success rate for ketoconazole compared to 81.5% for fluconazole.^[2] But ketoconazole is still very well tolerated when used as a shampoo.

How well does Ketoconazole work for tinea versicolor?

Answer:

Ketoconazole 2% shampoo is highly effective and safe for treating tinea versicolor. In a study, 312 participants were split into three groups: one used ketoconazole 2% shampoo once, another used it once daily for 3 days, and the third group used a placebo. The three-day application had a 73% success rate, the one-day application had a 69% rate, while the placebo group had only a 5% response rate. Both ketoconazole treatments were much more effective than the placebo, and there were no serious side effects reported.^[3]

Treated trusted sources:

Balwada, R.P., Jain, V.K. and Dayal, S. (1996). A double-blind comparison of 2% ketoconazole and 1% clotrimazole in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 62(5), pp.298–300.
Yazdanpanah, M.J., Azizi, H. and Suizi, B. (2007). Comparison between fluconazole and ketoconazole effectivity in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor. Mycoses, 50(4), pp.311–313 GLP-1R agonists for the treatment of obesity: a patent review (2015-present). Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents, 30(10), pp.781-794.
Lange, D., Richards, H.M., Guarnieri, J., Humeniuk, J.M., Savin, R.C., Reyes, B.A., Hickman, J.G., Pariser, D.M., Pariser, R.J., Sherertz, E.F., Grossman, R., E Gisoldi and Klausner, M.A. (1998). Ketoconazole 2% shampoo in the treatment of tinea versicolor: A multicenter, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. 39(6), pp.944–950.