Fole K

Uses

Treatment of superficial and deep mycoses:

• Infections of the skin, hair and nails by dermatophytes and/or yeasts (dermatomycosis, onychomycosis, perionyxis, pityriasis versicolor, chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis etc.) especially when topical treatment is difficult or not very effective, owing to involvement of large skin surfaces or to lesions affecting deeper dermal layers, nails and hairs
• Yeast infection of the mouth (oral thrush, perleche) and the gastrointestinal tract
• Vaginal candidiasis, especially chronic recurrent cases or cases responding poorly to topcial treatment
• Systemic mycotic infections such as systemic candidiasis, paracoccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis etc.

Maintenance treatment to prevent recurrence in systemic mycotic infections and in chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis.Prophylactic treatment to prevent mycotic infection in patients with reduced host defenses, e.g., patients with cancer, organ transplant and burns.

Zinc is an essential element commonly used for the treatment of patients with documented zinc deficiency.

Zinc can be used for the treatment and prevention of zinc deficiency/its consequences, including stunted growth and acute diarrhea in children, and slowed wound healing. It is also utilized for boosting the immune system, treating the common cold and recurrent ear infections, as well as preventing lower respiratory tract infections .

Fole K is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), Blastomycosis, Candidiasis, Systemic, Chromomycosis, Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis (CMC), Coccidioidomycosis, Dandruff, Endogenous Cushing's Syndrome, Histoplasmosis, Infections, Fungal, Paracoccidioidomycosis, Seborrheic Dermatitis, Tinea Corporis caused by Epidermophyton floccosumin, Tinea Corporis caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Tinea Corporis caused by Trichophyton rubrum, Tinea Cruris caused by Epidermophyton floccosumin, Tinea Cruris caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Tinea Cruris caused by Trichophyton rubrum, Tinea Pedis caused by Epidermophyton floccosumin, Tinea Pedis caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Tinea Pedis caused by Trichophyton rubrum, Vaginal Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal Candidiasis, Cutaneous candidiasis, Recalcitrant Dermatophytosis, Tinea versicolor caused by Malassezia infectionCandidiasis, Common Cold, Diaper Dermatitis, Diaper Rash, Eye redness, Iron Deficiency (ID), Ocular Irritation, Skin Irritation, Sunburn, Wilson's Disease, Zinc Deficiency, Dietary and Nutritional Therapies, Dietary supplementation

How Fole K works

Ketoconazole interacts with 14-α-sterol demethylase, a cytochrome P-450 enzyme necessary for the conversion of lanosterol to ergosterol. This results in inhibition of ergosterol synthesis and increased fungal cellular permeability due to reduced amounts of ergosterol present in the fungal cell membrane. This metabolic inhibition also results in accumulation of 14α-methyl-3,6-diol, a toxic metabolite. The increase in membrane fluidity is also thought to produce impairment of membrane-bound enzyme systems as components become less closely packed.

Zinc has three primary biological roles: catalytic, structural, and regulatory. The catalytic and structural role of zinc is well established, and there are various noteworthy reviews on these functions. For example, zinc is a structural constituent in numerous proteins, inclusive of growth factors, cytokines, receptors, enzymes, and transcription factors for different cellular signaling pathways. It is implicated in numerous cellular processes as a cofactor for approximately 3000 human proteins including enzymes, nuclear factors, and hormones .

Zinc promotes resistance to epithelial apoptosis through cell protection (cytoprotection) against reactive oxygen species and bacterial toxins, likely through the antioxidant activity of the cysteine-rich metallothioneins .

In HL-60 cells (promyelocytic leukemia cell line), zinc enhances the up-regulation of A20 mRNA, which, via TRAF pathway, decreases NF-kappaB activation, leading to decreased gene expression and generation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-1beta, and IL-8 .

There are several mechanisms of action of zinc on acute diarrhea. Various mechanisms are specific to the gastrointestinal system: zinc restores mucosal barrier integrity and enterocyte brush-border enzyme activity, it promotes the production of antibodies and circulating lymphocytes against intestinal pathogens, and has a direct effect on ion channels, acting as a potassium channel blocker of adenosine 3-5-cyclic monophosphate-mediated chlorine secretion. Cochrane researchers examined the evidence available up to 30 September 2016 .

Zinc deficiency in humans decreases the activity of serum thymulin (a hormone of the thymus), which is necessary for the maturation of T-helper cells. T-helper 1 (Th(1)) cytokines are decreased but T-helper 2 (Th(2)) cytokines are not affected by zinc deficiency in humans [A342417].

The change of Th(1) to Th(2) function leads to cell-mediated immune dysfunction. Because IL-2 production (Th(1) cytokine) is decreased, this causes decreased activity of natural-killer-cell (NK cell) and T cytolytic cells, normally involved in killing viruses, bacteria, and malignant cells [A3424].

In humans, zinc deficiency may lead to the generation of new CD4+ T cells, produced in the thymus. In cell culture studies (HUT-78, a Th(0) human malignant lymphoblastoid cell line), as a result of zinc deficiency, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation, phosphorylation of IkappaB, and binding of NF-kappaB to DNA are decreased and this results in decreased Th(1) cytokine production .

In another study, zinc supplementation in human subjects suppressed the gene expression and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreased oxidative stress markers [A3424]. In HL-60 cells (a human pro-myelocytic leukemia cell line), zinc deficiency increased the levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-8 cytokines and mRNA. In such cells, zinc was found to induce A20, a zinc finger protein that inhibited NF-kappaB activation by the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor pathway. This process decreased gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers .

The exact mechanism of zinc in acne treatment is poorly understood. However, zinc is considered to act directly on microbial inflammatory equilibrium and facilitate antibiotic absorption when used in combination with other agents. Topical zinc alone as well as in combination with other agents may be efficacious because of its anti-inflammatory activity and ability to reduce P. acnes bacteria by the inhibition of P. acnes lipases and free fatty acid levels .

Dosage

Fole K dosage

Oral-

Fungal infections:

• Adult: 200 mg once daily; may increase to 400 mg once daily if clinical response is insufficient. Continue treatment until symptoms have cleared and cultures have become negative.
• Child: ≥2 yr 3.3-6.6 mg/kg once daily. Treatment duration: 1-2 wk for candidiasis; at least 4 wk in recalcitrant dermatophyte infections and up to 6 mth for other systemic mycoses.
• Elderly: No dosage adjustment needed.

Topical (Adult)-

Pityriasis versicolor, Skin fungal infections:

• As 2% cream: Apply 1-2 times daily to cover affected and surrounding area until at least a few days after disappearance of symptoms.
• As 2% shampoo: Apply on scalp once daily for up to 5 days. For prophylaxis: As 2% shampoo, use once daily for a max of 3 days before exposure to sunlight.

Seborrhoeic dermatitis:

• As 2% foam: Apply to the affected area bid for 4 wk.
• As 1 or 2% shampoo: Apply on the scalp twice wkly for 2-4 wk. For prophylaxis: As 2% shampoo, use once every 1-2 wk.

Duration of Treatment

• Pityriasis versicolor: 1 to 6 weeks
• Dermatomycoses: 2 to 8 weeks
• Onychomycoses: 1 to 12 months
• Mycoses of hair and scalp: 1 to 2 months
• Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis : 1 to 12 months
• Oral mycoses: 5 to 10 days
• Systemic candidiasis: 1 to 2 months
• Paracoccidioidomycosis,histoplasmosis
• and other systemic mycosis: 1 month to 2 years

Side Effects

Ketoconazole is very well tolerated. Nausea and itching may occasionally occur. In some patients, an idosyncratic liver reaction may occur (incidence 1 : 10,000).

Toxicity

Symptoms of overdose include acute liver injury, which may include both hepatocellular and cholestatic injury, accompanied by anorexia, fatigue, nausea, and jaundice. In case of overdose, gastric lavage with activated charcoal may be used if within one hour of ketoconazole ingestion otherwise provide supportive care. If the patient shows signs of adrenal insufficiency, administer 100 mg hydrocortisone once together with saline and glucose infusion and monitor the patient closely. Blood pressure and fluid and electrolyte balance should be monitored over the next few days.

According to the Toxnet database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the oral LD50 for zinc is close to 3 g/kg body weight, more than 10-fold higher than cadmium and 50-fold higher than mercury .

The LD50 values of several zinc compounds (ranging from 186 to 623 mg zinc/kg/day) have been measured in rats and mice .

Precaution

Predisposition to adrenocortical insufficiency. Admin with acidic drink in patients with achlorhydria. Pregnancy and lactation.

Interaction

Reduced absorption with antimuscarinics, antacids, H2-blockers, PPIs and sucralfate. Reduced plasma concentrations with rifampicin, isoniazid, efavirenz, nevirapine, phenytoin. May also reduce concentrations of isoniazid and rifampicin. May reduce efficacy of oral contraceptives. May increase serum levels of CYP3A4 substrates e.g. digoxin, oral anticoagulants, sildenafil, tacrolimus.

Volume of Distribution

Ketoconazole has an estimated volume of distribution of 25.41 L or 0.36 L/kg. It distributes widely among the tissues, reaching effective concentrations in the skin, tendons, tears, and saliva. Distribution to vaginal tissue produces concentrations 2.4 times lower than plasma. Penetration into the CNS, bone, and seminal fluid are minimal. Ketoconazole has been found to enter the breast milk and cross the placenta in animal studies.

A pharmacokinetic study was done in rats to determine the distribution and other metabolic indexes of zinc in two particle sizes. It was found that zinc particles were mainly distributed to organs including the liver, lung, and kidney within 72 hours without any significant difference being found according to particle size or rat gender .

Elimination Route

Ketoconazole requires an acidic environment to become soluble in water. At pH values above 3 it becomes increasingly insoluble with about 10% entering solution in 1 h. At pH less than 3 dissolution is 85% complete in 5 min and entirely complete within 30 min. A single 200 mg oral dose produces a Cmax of 2.5-3 mcg/mL with a Tmax of 1-4 h. Administering ketoconazole with food consistently increases Cmax and delays Tmax but literature is contradictory regarding the effect on AUC, which may experience a small decrease. A bioavailablity of 76% has been reported for ketoconazole.

Zinc is absorbed in the small intestine by a carrier-mediated mechanism . Under regular physiologic conditions, transport processes of uptake do not saturate. The exact amount of zinc absorbed is difficult to determine because zinc is secreted into the gut. Zinc administered in aqueous solutions to fasting subjects is absorbed quite efficiently (at a rate of 60-70%), however, absorption from solid diets is less efficient and varies greatly, dependent on zinc content and diet composition .

Generally, 33% is considered to be the average zinc absorption in humans . More recent studies have determined different absorption rates for various populations based on their type of diet and phytate to zinc molar ratio. Zinc absorption is concentration dependent and increases linearly with dietary zinc up to a maximum rate [L20902].

Additionally zinc status may influence zinc absorption. Zinc-deprived humans absorb this element with increased efficiency, whereas humans on a high-zinc diet show a reduced efficiency of absorption .

Half Life

Ketoconazole experiences biphasic elimination with the first phase having a half-life of 2 hours and a terminal half life of 8 hours.

The half-life of zinc in humans is approximately 280 days .

Clearance

Ketoconazole has an estimated clearance of 8.66 L/h.

In one study of healthy patients, the clearance of zinc was found to be 0.63 ± 0.39 μg/min .

Elimination Route

Only 2-4% of the ketoconazole dose is eliminated unchanged in the urine. Over 95% is eliminated through hepatic metabolism.

The excretion of zinc through gastrointestinal tract accounts for approximately one-half of all zinc eliminated from the body .

Considerable amounts of zinc are secreted through both biliary and intestinal secretions, however most is reabsorbed. This is an important process in the regulation of zinc balance. Other routes of zinc excretion include both urine and surface losses (sloughed skin, hair, sweat) .

Zinc has been shown to induce intestinal metallothionein, which combines zinc and copper in the intestine and prevents their serosal surface transfer. Intestinal cells are sloughed with approximately a 6-day turnover, and the metallothionein-bound copper and zinc are lost in the stool and are thus not absorbed .

Measurements in humans of endogenous intestinal zinc have primarily been made as fecal excretion; this suggests that the amounts excreted are responsive to zinc intake, absorbed zinc and physiologic need .

In one study, elimination kinetics in rats showed that a small amount of ZnO nanoparticles was excreted via the urine, however, most of the nanoparticles were excreted via the feces .

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Category C: Either studies in animals have revealed adverse effects on the foetus (teratogenic or embryocidal or other) and there are no controlled studies in women or studies in women and animals are not available. Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the foetus.

Contraindication

Hypersensitivity; preexisting liver disease. Concurrent use with CYP3A4 substrates e.g. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (e.g. lovastatin, simvastatin), midazolam, triazolam, cisapride, dofetilide, eplerenone, nisoldipine, pimozide, quinidine, terfenadine, astemizole, ergot alkaloids (e.g. ergotamine, dihydroergotamine).

Special Warning

Renal Impairment: Oral: No dosage adjustment needed.

Hepatic Impairment: Oral: Contraindicated.

Storage Condition

Store between 15-25° C. Protect from moisture and light.

Innovators Monograph

You find simplified version here Fole K