Clinical pharmacology of itraconazole in children and adolescents

Drogouti E., Pana Z., Tragiannidis A., Hempel G., Groll A.

Abstract

Invasive fungal infections are recognized as lifethreatening complications primarily in immunocompromised patients, including children with primary immunodeficiencies and hematological malignancies. The antifungal triazoles have become extremely useful components of the antifungal armamentarium. They are well tolerated and possess a broad spectrum of activity. Itraconazole was discovered in 1984 and became available for clinical use in 1990. Itraconazole is a broad spectrum, triazole antifungal agent, and class II drug molecule with low solubility and high permeability and several indications in adults. This article provides a brief overview of the pharmacology of itraconazole with focus on the available data in immunocompromised children and adolescents.