Ketoconazole shampoo for dandruff

Dandruff isn't just aesthetically unpleasant. It brings with it discomfort in the form of itching, scratching, pustules under the scalp. In advanced cases, hair loss begins. In addition, restoring hair quality is often problematic. Alternative remedies and the use of the first anti-dandruff shampoo in the store do not always help. Ketoconazole Anti-Dandruff Shampoo is a remedy. It is produced by a pharmaceutical company and contains a medicinal substance with a fungicidal / fungistatic effect, ketoconazole, that is, it is a medicinal shampoo with a pronounced antifungal activity. Scalp peeling occurs for various reasons, so not all patients are suitable for treatment with shampoo with ketoconazole. Before buying it and starting a course of treatment, it is recommended to visit a doctor and find out what caused the active exfoliation of the upper layers of the skin under the scalp. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial has proven the effectiveness of 2% ketoconazole shampoo in the treatment of moderate to severe dandruff. [1], [2]

Indications Ketoconazole shampoo for dandruff

Mycosis of the scalp caused by dermatophytes, yeast-like and mold fungi, oily and dry seborrhea of various origins.

Prevention of mycosis in persons with reduced immunoresistance.

Suitable for all hair types.

Pharmacodynamics

The main medicinal substance in the shampoo is ketoconazole. This is a well-known antifungal agent of the imidazole group. Its action is to destroy the cell membrane of fungi by blocking the synthesis of the necessary components - ergosterols, phospholipids, triglycerides. The cell membranes become permeable and destroyed. Fungi lose their ability to multiply and die. Many ketoconazole anti-dandruff shampoos contain hydrochloric acid (which is used as a solvent for the medicine), which can further irritate and worsen inflammation. There is no hydrochloric acid in the "Elfa" shampoo; the company's specialists managed to avoid the presence of this component.

The cause of dandruff on the head is often the reproduction of the opportunistic yeast-like fungus Pytirosporum ovale, which ketoconazole can successfully deal with. The fungus lives on everyone's scalp and does not manifest itself under normal conditions. But with increased activity of the sebaceous glands, reduced immunity and other reasons for a violation of biological balance, he immediately raises his head and begins to actively multiply. Therefore, drying and defatting components enhance the effect of the drug. In addition to ketoconazole, the shampoo, for example, from the pharmaceutical company Elfa, contains zinc ions. This element of the periodic table helps to restore the normal skin biocenosis: it dries, soothes and relieves irritation.

In the same brand of shampoo, in addition to the medicinal and mineral components, it also contains a vegetable extract of thyme. This plant has antibacterial and antifungal activity, therefore it complements the sanitizing effect of the previous components. In addition, it helps to strengthen and grow hair, normalize the scalp.

In other brands of shampoos, additional components may differ. For example, the Russian shampoo "Sebokler" also contains ketoconazole and zinc pyrithione, which complements not only the antiseptic effect, but also has a mild cytostatic effect, preventing the processes of hyperproliferation in psoriasis and seborrhea. [3]

Neutral shampoo with ketoconazole has a milder (prophylactic) effect, and the complex of plant prebiotics contained in it normalizes the microflora of the scalp, helps strengthen and grow hair.

If the shampoo suits you, then its effect will be noticeable already after the first use, and in two weeks, in cases not started, you will already say goodbye to the problem.

Pharmacokinetics

When applied externally, the medicinal ingredient ketoconazole acts exclusively on the surface of the skin and does not enter the systemic circulation.

The pharmacokinetics of shampoos are not subject to study, therefore the complex effect of all components is not known, however, external application and subsequent washing off from the hair suggests the absence of a significant systemic effect. [4], [5]

Dosing and administration

Neutral shampoo with ketoconazole from the Elfa company is used to prevent or with a very small amount of dandruff - it is applied to wet hair, spread, lather and left for five minutes. Then they are washed off under a warm shower. Use it regularly every two weeks.

Healing shampoo with ketoconazole is used twice during one shampoo procedure: the first time they just wash their hair, and the second time they apply it to the hair, lather and leave for five minutes. Then washed off. Treatment procedures are done every other day for two weeks. Even after washing off, the product remains on the surface of the scalp and “works”, which will be noticeable at the end of the two-week course.

Then they switch to using a neutral shampoo version.

Sebokler anti-dandruff shampoo with ketoconazole is used twice a week for a month. Then for another month they wash their hair weekly for preventive purposes. The washing process is recommended as follows: shampoo is applied to wet hair, lather and massage it for about three minutes, then rinse off under a shower stream.

Application for children

Adequate studies of the use of shampoo in children have also not been conducted. However, external agents with ketoconazole are prescribed for children. Before washing a child's head with medicated shampoo, it is recommended to find out the cause of his dandruff and consult a pediatrician. [8]

Use Ketoconazole shampoo for dandruff during pregnancy

No impact studies have been conducted on this population. During the period of childbearing, any exposure must be avoided, and the shampoo contains a drug and an extract of an herb that is contraindicated for pregnant women. But if it is necessary to treat dandruff, the doctor decides whether it is advisable to use shampoo with ketoconazole and thyme. The same recommendations apply to mothers who are breastfeeding. [6], [7]

Contraindications

Individual hypersensitivity to shampoo components.

Side effects Ketoconazole shampoo for dandruff

Allergic skin reactions are possible, systemic ones are unlikely.

Overdose

Overdose and interactions with other shampoo preparations have not been studied. Considering that the active substances from them practically do not enter the systemic circulation, interactions are not expected, and an overdose, in principle, is impossible. [9]

Storage conditions

After opening, the shampoo is stored on the shelf in the bathroom. Before buying and using it, you should pay attention to the expiration date indicated on the package. After it has expired, there is no guarantee of its safety and effectiveness.

Analogs

There are other shampoos with ketoconazole, for example, sulsen, which has a spicy scent of herbs that are included in its composition; dandruff shampoo "Horse Power"; shampoo Nizoral. These are rather not analogs, but synonyms, since, apart from the auxiliary ingredients, they use the same active substance. The Elfa company also produces a paste with ketoconazole, which is recommended to be used for local lesions of small areas. In addition to medicine and zinc, it contains dwarf palm oil.

There is also a number of shampoos with climbazole, which has a powerful fungicidal effect, however, it is more significantly absorbed into the systemic circulation.

Shampoos Sulsenovy (without ketoconazole), Tar, Seborin are also offered as remedies for dandruff, but they do not have such a powerful effect as ketoconazole and climbazole. They simply wash off the sebum, without which the dandruff fungus cannot multiply.

In addition, ketoconazole shampoos have a broad spectrum of antifungal effects. After all, the defeat is not always caused by Pytirosporum ovale. There are other types of fungi that infect the skin under the hair and cause it to hyperproliferate and cause dandruff.

Reviews of shampoos with ketoconazole are good, it meets all expectations. When using them according to the instructions, and each shampoo has nuances in use, everyone has spread with dandruff.

Doctors evaluate the effectiveness of climbazole and ketoconazole at the same level, but emphasize that the main advantage of ketaconazole is the absence of a systemic effect when applied externally.