Nizoral® | Nizoral (Ketoconazole) 2% Shampoo (100ml Bottle)

How does Nizoral Shampoo (Ketoconazole) 2% work?

Nizoral shampoo contains the active ingredient ketoconazole, which is a type of medicine called an antifungal. It is used to treat infections with fungi and yeasts.

Ketoconazole kills fungi and yeasts by interfering with their cell membranes. It works by stopping the fungi from producing a substance called ergosterol, which is an essential component of fungal cell membranes. The disruption in production of ergosterol disrupts the fungal cell membrane, causing holes to appear in it.

The cell membranes of fungi are vital for their survival. They keep unwanted substances from entering the cells and stop the contents of the cells from leaking out. As ketoconazole causes holes to appear in the cell membranes, essential constituents of the fungal cells can leak out. This kills the fungi and treats the infection.

Ketoconazole is used to treat a number of different types of fungal and yeast infections. Ketoconazole shampoo is used to treat skin conditions that are caused by infection with the yeast Pityrosporum. These include the skin infection pityriasis versicolor, as well as seborrhoeic dermatitis and dandruff, which is considered to be a mild form of seborrhoeic dermatitis.

Ketoconazole shampoo should be used to wash the affected areas and left for three to five minutes before rinsing. For dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis, the shampoo should be used to wash the hair twice weekly for two to four weeks. Once these conditions have cleared up they can be prevented from coming back by using the shampoo once every one to two weeks.

To treat pityriasis versicolor the shampoo should be used to wash the skin once daily for a maximum of five days. Pityriasis versicolor can often recur in the spring or summer, and the shampoo can also be used to prevent the infection by using it once daily for a maximum of three days, before exposure to sunshine.

What is Nizoral Shampoo (Ketoconazole) 2% used for?

• Dandruff.
• Inflammatory skin condition with greasy, red and scaly areas (seborrhoeic dermatitis).
• Fungal skin condition called pityriasis versicolor.

Nizoral Shampoo (Ketoconazole) 2% Side Effects

• Burning sensation.
• Itching (pruritus).
• Allergic inflammation of the skin (contact dermatitis).
• Dry hair.
• Oily hair.
• Discolouration of hair (rare and mainly affecting chemically-damaged or grey hair).
• Eczema.