Efficacy and safety of itraconazole use in children

Itraconazole capsules have been approved in the United States for the treatment of adults with some systemic mycoses and onychomycosis. Itraconazole is also available in an oral solution for treatment of oropharyngeal and esophageal candidiasis. Although the triazole has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of mycotic infections in children, there are a significant number of reports in the literature on the use of itraconazole for superficial and systemic fungal infections in children. This article summarizes the use of itraconazole in pediatric fungal infection, concentrating particularly on superficial fungal infection, such as tinea capitis.