Ketoconazole Cream
Cream · Topical
Uses
Ketoconazole Cream, 2% is indicated for the topical treatment of tinea corporis, tinea cruris and tinea pedis caused by Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes and Epidermophyton floccosum; in the treatment of tinea (pityriasis) versicolor caused by Malassezia furfur (Pityrosporum orbiculare); and in the treatment of cutaneous candidiasis caused by Candida spp. and in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.
Dosage and administration
Cutaneous candidiasis, tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea pedis, and tinea (pityriasis) versicolor: It is recommended that Ketoconazole Cream, 2% be applied once daily to cover the affected and immediate surrounding area. Clinical improvement may be seen fairly soon after treatment is begun; however, candidal infections and tinea cruris and corporis should be treated for two weeks in order to reduce the possibility of recurrence. Patients with tinea versicolor usually require two weeks of treatment . Patients with tinea pedis require six weeks of treatment. If a patient shows no clinical improvement after the treatment period, the diagnosis should be redetermined. Seborrheic dermatitis: Ketoconazole cream, 2% should be applied to the affected area twice daily for four weeks or until no clinical clearing. If a patient shows no clinical improvement after the treatment period, the diagnosis should be redetermined.
Contraindications
Ketoconazole Cream, 2% is contraindicated in persons who have shown hypersensitivity to the active or excipient ingredients of this formulation.
Warnings
Ketoconazole Cream, 2% is not for ophthalmic use. Ketoconazole Cream, 2% contains sodium sulfite anhydrous, a sulfite that may cause allergic-type reactions including anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in certain susceptible people. The overall prevalence of sulfite sensitivity in the general population is unknown and probably low. Sulfite sensitivity is seen more frequently in asthmatic than in nonasthmatic people.
Precautions
General If a reaction suggesting sensitivity or chemical irritation should occur, use of the medication should be discontinued. Hepatitis (1:10,000 reported incidence) and, at high doses, lowered testosterone and ACTH induced corticosteroid serum levels have been seen with orally administered ketoconazole; these effects have not been seen with topical ketoconazole. Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility A long-term feeding study in Swiss Albino mice and in Wistar rats showed no evidence of oncogenic activity. The dominant lethal mutation test in male and female mice revealed that single oral doses of ketoconazole as high as 80 mg/kg produced no mutation in any stage of germ cell development. The Ames' Salmonella microsomal activator assay was also negative. Pregnancy Teratogenic effects Pregnancy Category C Ketoconazole has been shown to be teratogenic (syndactylia and oligodactylia) in the rat when given orally in the diet at 80 mg/kg/day, (10 times the maximum recommended human oral dose). However, these effects may be related to maternal toxicity, which was seen at this and higher dose levels. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Ketoconazole should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Nursing Mothers It is not known whether Ketoconazole Cream, 2% administered topically could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in breast milk. Nevertheless, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother. Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.
Side effects
During clinical trials 45 (5%) of 905 patients treated with Ketoconazole Cream, 2% and 5 (2.4%) of 208 patients treated with placebo reported side effects consisting mainly of severe irritation, pruritus and stinging. One of the patients treated with ketoconazole cream developed a painful allergic reaction. In worldwide postmarketing experience, rare reports of contact dermatitis have been associated with ketoconazole cream or one of its excipients, namely sodium sulfite or propylene glycol. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Encube Ethicals Private Limited at 1-833-285-4151 or FDA at 1-800- FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Description
Ketoconazole Cream, 2% contains the broad-spectrum synthetic antifungal agent, ketoconazole 2%. Each gram, for topical administration, contains ketoconazole 20 mg and is formulated in an aqueous cream vehicle consisting of propylene glycol, purified water, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, isopropyl myristate, sorbitan monostearate, polysorbate 60, polysorbate 80, and sodium sulfite, anhydrous: Ketoconazole is cis-1-acetyl-4-[4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl] piperazine and has the following structural formula: [Ketoconazole Structure] M. Formula: C 26H 28Cl 2N 4O 4 M.W.: 531.44
How supplied
Ketoconazole Cream, 2% is supplied in 15, 30, and 60 gram tubes. 15 g tube (21922- 025-04) 30 g tube (21922- 025-05) 60 g tube (21922- 025-07) STORAGE Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Mfg Lic No. : 361 [Encube logo] Manufactured by : Encube Ethicals Pvt. Ltd. Plot No. C-1, Madkaim Industrial Estate, Madkaim, Post: Mardol, Ponda, Goa - 403 404, India. Distributed by: Encube Ethicals, Inc. 200 Meredith Avenue, Suite 101A Durham, NC 27713 USA Rev: 03 May 2021
Label text from the FDA structured product label by Direct_Rx (revised Mar 17, 2026). Long sections are shortened; the complete label is on DailyMed.
Active ingredients
- Ketoconazole in 1 product
Ketoconazole Cream NDC products (1)
Frequently asked questions
What is Ketoconazole Cream used for?
Ketoconazole Cream, 2% is indicated for the topical treatment of tinea corporis, tinea cruris and tinea pedis caused by Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes and Epidermophyton floccosum; in the treatment of tinea (pityriasis) versicolor caused by Malassezia furfur (Pityrosporum orbiculare); and in the treatment of cutaneous candidiasis caused by Candida spp. and in the treatment of seborrheic…
What are the side effects of Ketoconazole Cream?
During clinical trials 45 (5%) of 905 patients treated with Ketoconazole Cream, 2% and 5 (2.4%) of 208 patients treated with placebo reported side effects consisting mainly of severe irritation, pruritus and stinging. One of the patients treated with ketoconazole cream developed a painful allergic reaction. In worldwide postmarketing experience, rare reports of contact dermatitis have been… See the full label for the complete list.
Who makes Ketoconazole Cream?
Ketoconazole Cream is listed by 1 labeler in the FDA NDC directory, including Direct_Rx.