Unizol

Uses

For the treatment of fungal corneal ulcers/ keratitis.

Unizol is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Candida intertrigo, Candida pneumonia, Candida urinary tract infection, Candidemia, Candidiasis, Coccidioidomycosis, Esophageal Candidiasis, Fungal peritonitis caused by Candida, Infections, Fungal, Meningitis, Cryptococcal, Oropharyngeal Candidiasis, Peritoneal candidiasis, Pneumonia cryptococcal, Pruritus, Skin Irritation, Systemic Candida Infections caused by Candida, Vaginal Candidiasis, Disseminated Candidiasis

How Unizol works

Unizol is a very selective inhibitor of fungal cytochrome P450 dependent enzyme lanosterol 14-α-demethylase. This enzyme normally works to convert lanosterol to ergosterol, which is necessary for fungal cell wall synthesis. The free nitrogen atom located on the azole ring of fluconazole binds with a single iron atom located in the heme group of lanosterol 14-α-demethylase. This prevents oxygen activation and, as a result, inhibits the demethylation of lanosterol, halting the process of ergosterol biosynthesis. Methylated sterols are then found to accumulate in the fungal cellular membrane, leading to an arrest of fungal growth. These accumulated sterols negatively affect the structure and function of the fungal cell plasma membrane.

Unizol resistance may arise from an alteration in the amount or function of the target enzyme (lanosterol 14-α-demethylase), altered access to this enzyme, or a combination of the above. Other mechanisms may also be implicated, and studies are ongoing.

Dosage

Unizol dosage

Instill 1 drop to be instilled into the affected eye(s) 5 times daily.

Side Effects

This drug is generally well tolerated. Eosinophillia has been reported in some patients.

Toxicity

Acute oral toxicity (LD50): 1271 mg/kg (rat)

Overdose information

Unizol overdoses have been associated with hallucination and paranoia, sometimes in combination. In cases of overdose, employ supportive treatment. Gastric lavage may be necessary. Other modalities such as forced diuresis or hemodialysis may also be used.

A note on liver toxicity

The FDA label warns that this drug carries a risk of hepatotoxicity. Rare but serious cases of serious hepatic toxicity have been reported, especially in patients with serious underlying medical conditions using fluconazole. This group of patients has an increased risk of fatality when using fluconazole. In patients with existing liver dysfunction, use caution during fluconazole therapy. Those who are found to have abnormal liver function tests during therapy should be carefully monitored for the development of increasingly severe injury to the liver. Unizol should be stopped if its use is likely to be the underlying cause of liver injury, and medical attention should be sought. Unizol induced hepatotoxicity is usually reversible.

Carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, and impairment of fertility

Unizol demonstrated no evidence of carcinogenic risk in mice and rats treated orally for 24 months at doses equivalent to approximately 2-7 time the recommended human dose). Male rats given fluconazole at doses equivalent to supratherapeutic human doses showed an increased incidence of hepatocellular adenomas. Cytogenetic studies in vivo and in vitro demonstrated no sign of chromosomal mutation. The significance of these findings for humans is unknown.

Use in pregnancy

There are no sufficient and well-controlled studies of fluconazole use in pregnant women. Available human data do not show an increased risk of congenital anomalies after pregnant women were treated with standard doses (27 Several case reports describe rare but striking congenital anomalies observed in infants who were exposed to fluconazole at high doses reaching 400-800 mg/day, primarily in the first trimester of pregnancy. Similar findings were observed in animal studies. If this drug is administered during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking fluconazole, the risk should be discussed thoroughly.

Use in nursing

Unizol is secreted in breastmilk at high concentrations. Exercise caution if this drug is used during nursing.

Precaution

Use of fluconazole may result in overgrowth of non-susceptible strains of candida other than Candida albicans

Interaction

Unizol can alter pharmacokinetics of certain drugs undergoing hepatic metabolism.

Food Interaction

• Take with or without food. The absorption is unaffected by food.

Unizol Drug Interaction

Major: alprazolam, alprazolamModerate: montelukast, montelukastUnknown: diphenhydramine, diphenhydramine, duloxetine, duloxetine, pregabalin, pregabalin, acetaminophen, acetaminophen, cyanocobalamin, cyanocobalamin, ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid, cholecalciferol, cholecalciferol, cetirizine, cetirizine

Unizol Disease Interaction

Major: hepatotoxicityModerate: QT prolongation, hemodialysis, renal dysfunction

Volume of Distribution

The apparent volume of distribution is said to be similar to the volume of distribution of total body water. One clinical study of healthy volunteers administered 50 mg/kg of fluconazole was 39L, based on a body weight of 60kg.

Unizol shows substantial penetration in many body fluids, which is a property that renders it an ideal treatment for systemic fungal infections, especially when administered over a longer time. Unizol is found in high concentrations in the stratum corneum and dermis-epidermis of skin, in addition to eccrine sweat. Unizol is found to accumulate especially well in the stratum corneum, which is beneficial in superficial fungal infections.[L6496] Saliva and sputum concentrations of fluconazole are found to be similar to the plasma concentrations. In patients diagnosed with fungal meningitis, fluconazole CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) levels are measured to be about 80% of the corresponding plasma levels. Therefore, fluconazole crosses the blood-brain barrier[L6496]. The meninges are increasingly permeable to fluconazole in states of inflammation, facilitating treatment in meningitis.

Elimination Route

The pharmacokinetic properties of fluconazole are comparable after administration by the intravenous (IV) and oral (PO) routes. In healthy volunteers, the bioavailability of orally administered fluconazole is measured to be above 90%. It is extensively absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract when an oral dose is taken. Oral absorption is not affected by food intake with fluconazole but may increase the time until the maximum concentration is reached.

Tmax (or the time taken to achieve the maximum concentration) in one clinical study of healthy patients receiving 50 mg/kg of fluconazole was 3 hours.

Peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) in fasting and healthy volunteers occur between 1-2 hours post-dose. Steady-state concentrations are achieved within 5 to 10 days after oral doses of 50-400 mg administered once daily. Administration of a loading dose on the first day of fluconazole treatment, or twice the usual daily dose, leads to plasma concentrations close to steady-state by the second day. Mean AUC (area under the curve) was 20.3 in healthy volunteers receiving 25 mg of fluconazole.

A note on the capsule and powder form and malabsorption syndromes

The capsule forms of fluconazole often contain lactose and should not be administered with hereditary galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase enzyme deficiency, or malabsorption of glucose/galactose. The powder form, used for the oral suspension, lists sucrose as an ingredient and should not be used in patients who have been diagnosed with fructose, glucose/galactose malabsorption, and sucrase-isomaltase enzyme deficiency.

Half Life

The terminal elimination half-life in the plasma is approximately 30 hours (range: 20-50 hours) after oral administration. The long plasma elimination half-life supports a single dose therapy for vaginal candidiasis, once daily and once weekly dosing for other indications.[L6496]. Patients with renal failure may require dosage adjustment, and half-life can be significantly increased in these patients.

Clearance

This drug is mainly eliminated by the kidneys and the mean body clearance in adults is reported to be 0.23 mL/min/kg. One clinical study of healthy subjects showed total clearance of 19.5 ± 4.7 mL/min and renal clearance of 14.7 ± 3.7 mL/min (1.17 ± 0.28 and 0.88 ± 0.22 L/h).

Clearance in the pediatric population varies according to age, as does clearance in patients with renal failure.

Elimination Route

In normal volunteers, fluconazole is cleared primarily by renal excretion, with approximately 80% of the administered dose measured in the urine as unchanged drug. About 11% of the dose is excreted in the urine as metabolites.. A study of a 50mg radiolabeled dose of fluconazole revealed that 93.3% of the dose was found excreted in the urine.

A note on renal failure

The pharmacokinetics of fluconazole are significantly affected by renal dysfunction. The dose of fluconazole may need to be reduced in patients with decreased renal function. A 3-hour hemodialysis treatment lowers plasma fluconazole concentrations by about 50%.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Use in pregnancy: Pregnancy category C. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Unizol should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Use in lactation: Nursing mother should not be given as the drug is excreted in breast milk in concentration similar to plasma.

Contraindication

The drug is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to azoles.

Storage Condition

Keep out of the reach of children. Store in a cool, dry place, away from heat and direct light. Do not use more than 4 weeks after opening the bottle

Innovators Monograph

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