Itraconazole Approved

On September 11, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration
approved itraconazole (brand name Sporanox), an antifungal. It is
officially indicated for treatment of histoplasmosis and
blastomycosis, but physicians can prescribe it for other
conditions. Other AIDS-related uses have included aspergillosis
(a rare but life-threatening fungal infection) and eosinophilic
folliculitis (a skin condition which causes intense itching --
see article below). Before approval, the drug was obtained
abroad or from buyers' clubs.

Itraconazole must not be combined with terfenadine
(Seldane); other warnings are included in the package insert,
which contains prescribing information for physicians.

Itraconazole will be expensive in the U. S., but somewhat
less expensive than fluconazole.