Ketoconazole shampoo for dandruff.

Dandruff is not just unpleasant from an aesthetic point of view. It brings with it discomfort in the form of itching, scratching, pustules under the scalp. In advanced cases, hair loss begins. In addition, restoring the quality of hair is often problematic. Folk remedies and the use of the first dandruff shampoo found in the store do not always help. Ketoconazole shampoo for dandruff is a therapeutic agent. It is produced by a pharmaceutical company and contains a medicinal substance with a fungicidal/fungistatic effect, ketoconazole, that is, it is a therapeutic shampoo with pronounced antifungal activity. Flaking of the scalp 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 peeling of the upper layers of the skin under the scalp. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study demonstrated the efficacy 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 individuals with reduced immunoresistance.

Suitable for all hair types.

Pharmacodynamics

The main therapeutic substance in the shampoo is ketoconazole. This is a well-known antifungal agent of the imidazole group. Its action consists in the destruction of the cell membrane of fungi by blocking the synthesis of the necessary components - ergosterols, phospholipids, triglycerides. Cell membranes become permeable and are destroyed. Fungi lose the ability to reproduce and die. Many anti-dandruff shampoos with ketoconazole contain hydrochloric acid (it is used as a solvent for the medicine), which causes even more irritation and aggravates the inflammatory process. There is no hydrochloric acid in the shampoo from Elfa; the company's specialists managed to avoid the presence of this component.

Dandruff on the head is often caused by the proliferation of the opportunistic yeast-like fungus Pytirosporum ovale, which is successfully treated with ketoconazole. The fungus lives on everyone's scalp and does not manifest itself in any way under normal conditions. But with increased activity of the sebaceous glands, decreased immunity and other causes of disruption of the biological balance, it immediately raises its head and begins to actively multiply. Therefore, drying and degreasing 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 normal skin biocenosis: it dries, soothes and relieves irritation.

In this same brand of shampoo, in addition to the medicinal and mineral components, there is also a plant component - thyme extract. This plant has antibacterial and antifungal activity, therefore it complements the sanitizing effect of the previous components. In addition, it promotes strengthening and growth of hair, normalization of the scalp.

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

Neutral shampoo with ketoconazole has a milder (preventive) effect, and the complex of plant prebiotics it contains normalizes the microflora of the scalp, promotes strengthening and hair growth.

If the shampoo suits you, its effect will be noticeable after the first use, and in two weeks in unadvanced cases you will already say goodbye to the problem.

Pharmacokinetics

The medicinal ingredient ketoconazole, when applied externally, acts exclusively on the surface of the skin and does not enter the systemic bloodstream.

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

Dosing and administration

Neutral shampoo with ketoconazole from Elfa is used for prevention or with a very small amount of dandruff - it is applied to wet hair, distributed, foamed and left for five minutes. Then rinsed under a warm stream of shower. Use regularly, once every two weeks.

Medicinal shampoo with ketoconazole is used twice during one hair washing procedure: the first time it is simply used to wash the hair, and the second time it is applied to the hair, lathered and left for five minutes. Then it is washed off. Medicinal 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 switch to using a neutral version of shampoo.

Sebokler anti-dandruff shampoo with ketoconazole is used twice a week for a month. Then for another month, wash your hair weekly for preventive purposes. The washing process is recommended to be carried out as follows: apply the shampoo to wet hair, lather and massage for about three minutes, then rinse under a stream of shower.

Application for children

There have also been no adequate studies on the use of shampoo in children. However, topical products containing ketoconazole are prescribed to children. Before washing a child's head with medicated shampoo, it is recommended to find out the cause of dandruff and consult a pediatrician. [ 8 ]

Use Ketoconazole shampoo for dandruff. during pregnancy

No studies have been conducted on the impact on this population category. During pregnancy, any impacts should be avoided, and the shampoo contains a medicinal product and herbal extract that is contraindicated for pregnant women. However, if dandruff treatment is necessary, the doctor will decide whether it is appropriate to use shampoo with ketoconazole and thyme. The same recommendations apply to breastfeeding mothers. [ 6 ], [ 7 ]

Contraindications

Individual hypersensitivity to the components of the shampoo.

Side effects Ketoconazole shampoo for dandruff.

Skin allergic reactions are possible, systemic ones are unlikely.

Overdose

Overdose and interactions with other shampoos are not studied. Considering that the active substances from them practically do not enter the systemic bloodstream, interactions are not expected, and overdose is, in principle, impossible. [ 9 ]

Storage conditions

After opening, the shampoo is stored on a 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.

Analogues

There are other shampoos with ketoconazole, for example, sulsen, which has a spicy smell of herbs that are part of it; anti-dandruff shampoo "Horsepower"; shampoo Nizoral. These are not analogues, but rather synonyms, since, apart from auxiliary ingredients, they use the same active substance. The company "Elfa" also produces a paste with ketoconazole, which is recommended for use in case of local lesions of small areas. In addition to the drug and zinc, it contains saw palmetto oil.

There are also a number of shampoos with climbazole, which has a powerful fungicidal effect, but is more significantly absorbed into the systemic bloodstream.

Shampoos Sulsen (without ketoconazole), Tar, Seborin are also offered as anti-dandruff products, but they do not have such a powerful effect as ketoconazole and climbazole. They simply wash away sebum, without which the fungus that causes dandruff does not multiply.

In addition, shampoos with ketoconazole have a wide spectrum of antifungal action. After all, the lesion is not always caused by Pytirosporum ovale. There are other types of fungi that affect the skin under the hair and cause its hyperproliferation and the appearance of dandruff.

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

Doctors rate 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.