Loitin / Fluconazole – The leading anti-fungal agent

Yeast infection or thrush can be one of those irritating things in life. Candida albicans, and other forms of yeast, grow in the vagina, rectum, and mouth. When we’re healthy the fact that some yeast might be present shouldn’t prove to be a problem but when our systems are out of balance, yeast-like organisms can grow profusely and yeast infections can develop. These infections are fungal infections (mycosis). Although candida albicans is the most common candida species, a fungal infection of any of the candida species is known as candidiasis.

Candidiasis is a problem that can be far more serious than most people realise. Candidiasis covers a whole range of infections from relatively mild and superficial forms such as oral thrush, vaginitis and urinary tract infections all the way through to systemic and potentially life-threatening diseases. Fortunately, the infections that fall in to this latter category are not widespread. They are often referred to as candidemia and are usually confined to those people who are severely immuno-compromised (that is to say have significantly lowered immune systems) such as cancer, transplant and AIDS patients.

The milder forms of yeast infections are far more widespread. Take vaginal yeast infections as an example - over 70% of women will develop at least one vaginal yeast infection during their lives and over 40% of women will have more than one. The delicate balance of the environment inside the vagina can easily be upset by such things as antibiotics, oral contraceptives, stress and even hot weather, all of which can lead to the fungal growth that causes yeast infections. Even though a typical vaginal yeast infection is one of the milder forms of candidiasis, its symptoms can be uncomfortable, annoying and possibly distressing. Symptoms include vaginal itching and irritation, thick, white vaginal discharge, redness and swelling around the vulva and pain on urination and during intercourse.

Men should not be complacent either. If they have unprotected sex with a partner who is suffering from vaginal candidiasis, they can also contract a yeast infection. And if both partners are not treated, they can keep re-infecting each other. In men the symptoms may appear as genital itching and irritation although, unlike women, there is usually no discharge.

Fortunately, treating yeast infections is in many cases relatively straight forward with the use of the appropriate anti-fungal agent and Loitin capsules lead the way.

What are Loitin capsules and how do they work?

Loitin is a brand name for fluconazole – the foremost medication for the treatment of yeast infections. Fluconazole is what is known as a triazole anti-fungal agent. Whilst capable of inhibiting the growth of fungi it can, depending on the dose, also be capable of killing fungi.

Fluconazole is particularly effective against fungal enzymes that are dependent on cytochrome P-450. Fluconazole works principally by inhibiting the cytochrome P450 enzyme 14a-demethylase, which in turn disrupts the component make-up of the membranes that surround fungal cells. If the cells cannot make these membranes they cannot grow.

As a fungicide, fluconazole can be absorbed into the blood at levels that are sufficiently high enough to enable penetration of infected surfaces and destruction of fungus. Following oral dosing, fluconazole is almost completely absorbed within two hours.

As discussed above fluconazole is highly effective against yeast infections that have been caused by microorganisms from the Candida family apart from those caused by candida krusei and candida glabrata. However, fluconazole is also active against a number of other microorganisms including:

• Blastomyces dermatitidis - responsible for the medical condition blastomycosis, a pulmonary infection, endemic in parts of Northern America
• Coccidioides immitis - can cause Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis). It may also cause meningitis particularly if a person is immuno- compromised. Found in the south western United States, northern Mexico and a few other areas in the Western Hemisphere
• Cryptococcus neoformans - can lead to a serious and potentially deadly infection known as cryptococcosis. Cryptococcosis can take a number forms including meningitis especially when it appears as a secondary infection in AIDS patients. If the cryptococcosis infection does not affect the central nervous system, fluconazole alone can be used to treat the disease
• Epidermophyton - causes superficial and cutaneous fungal infections. Epidermophyton floccosum infection can cause ringworm, jock itch, athlete’s foot and a fungal infection of the nail bed
• Histoplasma capsulatum - infection by histoplasma capsulatum is known as histoplasmosis or Darling’s disease. Histoplasma capsulatum is airborne, with infection being contracted by inhaling contaminated air. Although the lungs are the primary site of infection, symptoms of histoplasmosis can vary widely. If the infection infects other organs and if left untreated, it can prove fatal. Due to being immuno-compromised, histoplasmosis is common among AIDS patients
• Fluconazole can also used as a prophylaxis for the prevention of Candida infections in patients with lowered immune systems including those receiving chemotherapy or radiation following bone marrow transplantation

So, as can be seen fungal infections are far more common and, in some cases, far more serious, than most people think. But with the proper and prompt use of Loitin capsules, help is at hand.

Dosage
Dosage is dependent upon the type of infection that is being treated. The usual adult dose is between 50-400 mg daily. For some conditions such as vaginal candidasis, a single dose may be all that is required. Other conditions usually require a daily dose over a specified period of time although, as with the dose amount, the length of treatment time varies greatly depending on the condition being treated.

You must always be guided by your health care provider as to the appropriate treatment regime.

Children can take Loitin but the dosage must be modified accordingly by your health care provider.

Side Effects
Loitin capsules are generally well tolerated but it is possible that you may experience some side effects from taking the medication. The most common side effects are headaches, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and flatulence. Occasionally patients suffer from indigestion, dizziness, rashes and taste disturbances. In very rare circumstances, a serious allergic reaction or liver dysfunction may occur. You should discuss any side effects with your doctor.

Warnings
Do not take Loitin capsules if you have a known hypersensitivity to fluconazole, to Loitin capsules or any of their ingredients, or to other related triazolic compounds. Your doctor should also be aware some patients taking Loitin capsules have developed hepatic side effects. Patients with impaired renal function are at risk of overdose as well as patients taking drugs such as warfarin.

As with all medications, you should tell your health care provider about any medications (prescription, over the counter and herbal), that you are taking before you start taking Loitin capsules because drug interactions may occur.

Do not take Loitin at the same time as astermizole, cisapride or terfenadine. Your health care provider should also be particularly made aware if you are taking oral antidiabetic medicines containing chlorpropamide, glibenclamide, glipizide or tolbutamide, anticoagulants (warfarin), diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide, antiepileptics such as phenytoin, tuberculosis treatment with rifampicin, treatment following a transplant with cyclosporin, or treatment with pharmaceutical products containing teofiline.

It has been reported that Loitin may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. You should consider using an additional form of reliable birth control while using taking Loitin capsules.

Pregnancy and breast feeding – Loitin capsules should not be taken by pregnant patients, except in the case of serious or potentially fatal infections, where the effect of taking Loitin outweigh the possible risks to the foetus. Because fluconazole is secreted into breast milk, the use of Loitin capsules is not recommended during lactation.

Loitin Capsules are not available for shipment to the UK & EU.