Itraconazole in human medicine and veterinary practice

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Human Medicine
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Fungal infections pose challenges in both human and animal health, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
• Itraconazole (ITZ) is a broad-spectrum antifungal with a favorable safety profile, making it a common choice for treatment and prophylaxis.
• The increasing association between human and veterinary fungal infections highlights the need for comparative therapeutic insights.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical applications of itraconazole (ITZ) in both human and veterinary medicine.
• To discuss factors influencing ITZ dosage and treatment duration.
• To consolidate information on ITZ use, including case reports and clinical aspects, for both human and animal health.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of scientific articles and case reports.
• Analysis of itraconazole usage patterns in human and veterinary clinical settings.
• Synthesis of data on dosing, efficacy, and safety of ITZ.

Main Results:

• Itraconazole is a frequently prescribed antifungal for a wide range of fungal infections.
• Dosage of ITZ varies significantly based on species, infection site, pathogen sensitivity, and host factors.
• Human doses typically range from 100-400 mg/day, while veterinary doses range from 3-50 mg/kg/day.

Conclusions:

• Itraconazole is a valuable therapeutic agent for managing fungal infections across human and veterinary medicine.
• Understanding species-specific dosing and clinical nuances is crucial for optimizing ITZ therapy.
• This review provides a comprehensive resource for clinicians managing fungal infections with ITZ in both human and animal patients.