Home Medication and medical testsAntifungals Gitrasek: what it is for, dosage and side effects

Gitrasek: what it is for, dosage and side effects

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on
Gitrasek

Throughout their lives, it is common for women to present certain conditions in their genital tract due to different factors that can interfere with modifications of the normal vaginal flora and, consequently, generate what is commonly known as vaginal infections.

Itraconazole and secnidazole are the principles of Gitrasek, an oral drug used to treat vaginal infections of different types, including bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginitis caused by Candida Albicans. Gitrasek combines the pharmacological properties of the drugs itraconazole and secnidazole without interfering; it is composed of a broad spectrum antifungal and an antibiotic and antiparasitic that is part of the nitroimidazoles.

This Medication should be administered according to the specialist’s indication, even though its components are low risk and have few side effects. If you want to know more about this drug, we invite you to continue reading this FastlyHealarticle about Gitrasek: what it is for, dosage, and side effects.

Jirasek: what is it for

Gitrasek is a drug composed of 2 active principles, itraconazole. This highly effective antifungal acts by inhibiting the protein synthesis of ergosterol, a substance that is found covering fungi. In this way, it is allowed to strip it and, therefore, destroy it. Likewise, Jirasek comprises secnidazole, an antibiotic and antiparasitic that is part of the nitroimidazoles responsible for degrading DNA and NA (nucleic acids) to prevent the reproduction of bacteria and parasites, causing their death.

Both drugs are potentiated in the Gitrasek indicated particularly in case of vaginal infections of the vulvovaginitis type, caused by trichomonas vaginalis or Candida Albicans, or bacterial vaginosis:

  • The vulvovaginitis or vaginitis is an infection or inflammation of the vulva or vagina. On the one hand, that caused by candida Albicans, also known as candidiasis, is sexually transmitted or caused by the modification of the vaginal flora due to douching or even the use of tight underwear. Candidiasis causes irritation and itching of the vulva, abundant whitish discharge, and dermatitis. On the other hand, that caused by trichomonas vaginalis or trichomoniasis is properly a sexually transmitted disease characterized by an inflamed vagina, itching or itching of the vulva, foul-smelling, greenish, and occasionally foamy vaginal discharge.
  • Bacterial vaginosis, a vaginal infection most common, is characterized by causing leucorrhoea or malodorous vaginal discharge (similar to the smell of fish) and change in the pH of the vagina product alterations in the normal vaginal flora.

Jirasek: recommended dosage

This drug combines the effects of both drugs (antifungal, antibiotic and antiparasitic) without interfering with the bioavailability of each other.

Itraconazole has a high bioavailability, especially when taken after a meal. Itraconazole concentration of 100 mg can be reached 3–4 hours after being administered. It is metabolized in the liver and has a half-life of 24 hours. It is excreted mainly in the feces and to a lesser extent in the urine.

Secnidazole is absorbed orally until reaching its maximum concentration within 3 hours of being administered. It is metabolized in the liver and excreted through the urinary system. At least 50% of this drug is excreted in the urine within 72 hours and has a half-life of 18 hours.

Gitrasek is available in 166.6 mg secnidazole + 33.3 mg itraconazole capsules, and the recommended dose is two capsules every 12 hours for three days. The tablets should be taken with food, and it is also recommended to administer them to the sexual partner when the diagnosis is trichomonas vaginalis.

Side effects of Gitrasek

This drug is generally well-tolerated. However, after administration, there are some possible side effects, like all drugs. If you have one or more symptoms, you should stop it immediately and go to the doctor:

  • Gastrointestinal symptoms include vomiting, nausea, heartburn or heartburn, abdominal pain, bad taste in the mouth, flatulence, diarrhea, or constipation. All of these are usually mild and transient.
  • Central nervous system effects: dizziness, headache, and vertigo may occur.
  • Effects at the ocular level: blurred vision or double vision.
  • Other Side Effects: There may be ringing, hearing loss, decreased white blood cells, hives on the skin, red spots, and redness.

It is sporadic, but anaphylactic reactions, hypertriglyceridemia, hypocalcemia, peripheral neuropathy, hypoaesthesia, temporary or permanent hearing loss, CHF or congestive heart failure, hepatotoxicity, myalgia, arthralgia, urinary incontinence, menstrual disorders, and erectile dysfunction can also occur. Although all the latter are very rare, they should not be overlooked.

Jirasek: contraindications and drug interactions

Before administering Gitrasek, necessary caution should be exercised in the case of patients suffering from hepatic or renal insufficiency due to its metabolization and elimination.

  • This medicine is contraindicated in patients suffering from the central nervous system and blood diseases.
  • It should not be indicated in patients with hypersensitivity or allergic reactions to itraconazole or secnidazole.
  • The administration of Gitrasek with alcoholic beverages decreases its effectiveness and tolerance, so both should not be consumed together.
  • This drug should not be indicated in children unless the benefits outweigh the risk.

Drug interactions

  • Mixing gitrasek with disulfiram creates intolerance.
  • Simultaneous administration of Jirasek with rifampicin and phenytoin reduces its efficacy and bioavailability.
  • The risk of cardiac arrhythmia is increased when administered with drugs such as astemizole, levomethadil, quinidine.
  • The use of Jirasek with phenobarbital decreases the half-life of the former and, associated with lithium, can generate lithium toxicity.
  • Others with which there may be interaction are cyclosporine, digoxin, warfarin, heparin, verapamil, carbamazepine, alprazolam, and methylprednisolone.

You should know that Gitrasek should not be administered during pregnancy because its safety and efficacy have not yet been proven at this stage. However, its use is recommended in lactation because the amounts excreted through breast milk are deficient.

This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Gitrasek: what it is for, dosage, and side effects, we recommend entering our Medication and medical tests category.

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