What is Itraconazole used for?

Itraconazole is indicated for: Antifungal, aspergillosis, Aspergillosis (nasal), Aspergillosis (sinonasal), Aspergillosis - use in combination, Aspergillosis prophylaxis, Blastomycosis, candidiasis, candidiasis (azole antifungal), Chytridiomycosis, Cryptococcosis, cryptococcosis (systemic mycoses), dermatophytosis, Dermatophytosis (systemic), Fungal infections, histoplasmosis, Ringworm (pulse therapy), sporotrichosis, susceptible systemic mycoses NOT involving the CNS, Systemic fungal infections, Systemic mycoses, Systemic/cutaneous fungal infection, Systemic/cutaneous mycosis, Yellow fungus disease.

Which species have cited Itraconazole dosing data?

Itraconazole dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 37 species: African Grey Parrot, African Pygmy Hedgehog, Amazon Parrot, Axolotl, Ball Python, Bearded Dragon, Betta (Siamese fighting fish), Blue-and-Gold Macaw, Blue-tongue Skink, Cat (Domestic), Chicken (Poultry), Chinchilla, Corn Snake, Degu, Dog (Domestic), Domestic Pigeon, Dwarf Hamster, Eastern Box Turtle, Ferret, Fire Salamander, Goldfish, Green-cheeked Conure, Guinea Pig, Houston Toad, Koi, Leopard Gecko, Lovebird, Mouse, Pet Rat, Rabbit (Domestic), Russian Tortoise, Sugar Glider, Sulcata Tortoise, Turkey, Umbrella Cockatoo, White's Tree Frog, Zebra Finch.

Is Itraconazole a controlled substance?

Itraconazole is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

What are the warnings or contraindications for Itraconazole?

Hepatotoxic: monitor liver enzymes. Requires acid pH for capsule absorption (give with food). Negative inotropic effect — avoid in animals with heart failure. CYP3A4 inhibitor.

What are the side effects of Itraconazole?

Reported side effects, adverse reactions, and contraindications for Itraconazole: Hepatotoxic: monitor liver enzymes. Requires acid pH for capsule absorption (give with food). Negative inotropic effect — avoid in animals with heart failure. CYP3A4 inhibitor.

How does Itraconazole work?

Inhibits fungal 14-alpha-demethylase, blocking ergosterol synthesis. Lipophilic with high tissue concentrations.

Itraconazole

US brand names:Sporanox, Itrafungol

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Itraconazole is dosed at 5–10 mg/kg PO q24h in rabbits, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) [ed.] — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.708, Itraconazole monograph spanning p.704-708. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.2 (Antifungal Agents Used in Rabbits.a). Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Antifungal

Routes

Indications

Warnings from the source rows

further toxicologic studies required

Antifungalaspergillosis

Sample dosing (2 of 45 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 37 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Cat (Domestic)	PO	5 mg/kg	q24h	Strong	Plumb's 10th ed printed p.704, Itraconazole monograph spanning p.704-708.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
Dog (Domestic)	PO	5–10 mg/kg	q12h	Strong	Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.707, Itraconazole monograph spanning p.704-708.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.

Backed by 39 published sourcesShow

· 122. Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. | 130. Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.772 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.1 (Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Rodents.a).
· 122. Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015.; 130. Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.772 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.1 (Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Rodents.a).
· 147. Gamble KC, Alvarado TP, BennettCL. Itraconazole plasma and tissue concentrations in the spiny lizard (Sceloporus sp.) following once-daily dosing. J Zoo Wildl Med. 1997;28:89-93. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.222 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.3 (Antifungal Agents Used in Reptiles).

· 25. Heatley J. Hedgehogs. In: Mitchell MA, Tully TN Jr., eds. Manual of Exotic Pet Practice; Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2009:433-455. | 34. Johnson D. African pygmy hedgehogs. In: Meredith A, Johnson-Delaney C, eds. BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pets, 5th ed., British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Gloucester, UK; 2010:139-147. | 45. Lightfoot T. Therapeutics of African pygmy hedgehogs and prairie dogs. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:155-172. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.735 doi:10.1016/s1094-9194(17)30099-3 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 8.2 (Antifungal Agents Used in Hedgehogs).

· 305. Martel A, Hellebuyck T, Van Waeyenberghe L. Treatment of infections with Nannizziopsis vriesii, an emergent reptilian dermatophyte. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Rept Amph Vet; 2009:69-70. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.222 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.3 (Antifungal Agents Used in Reptiles).

· 466. Kasper A. Rehabilitation of California towhees. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet; 1997:83-90. | 767. Ritchie BW, Harrison GJ. Formulary. In: Ritchie BW, Harrison GJ, Harrison LR, eds. Avian Medicine: Principles and Application; Wingers Publishing, Lake Worth, FL; 1994:457-478. | 896. Stetter MD, Sheppard C, Cook RA. Itraconazole-impregnated synthetic grit for sustained release dosing in avian species. Proc Joint Conf Am Assoc Zoo Vet; 1996:181-185. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.426 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.2 (Antifungal Agents Used in Birds).

· 5. Aguilar R, Redig P. Diagnosis and treatment of avian aspergillosis. In: Bonagura JD, AbbottJA, Abrams KL, eds. Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy XII: Small Animal Practice, 12th ed., WB Saunders, Philadelphia; 1995. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.631 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 6.2 (Antifungal Agents Used in Backyard Poultry, Gamebirds, and Waterfowl).

· 557. Lumeij JT, Gorgevska D, Woestenborghs R. Plasma and tissue concentrations of itraconazole in racing pigeons (Columba livia domestica). J Avian Med Surg. 1995;9(1):32-35. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.426 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.2 (Antifungal Agents Used in Birds).

· 665. Orosz SE, Frazier DL. Antifungal agents: a review of their pharmacology and therapeutic indications. J Avian Med Surg. 1995;9:8-18. | 666. Orosz SE, Schroeder EC, Frazier DL. Itraconazole: a new antifungal drug for birds. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet; 1994:13-19. | 702. Phalen DN. Common bacterial and fungal infectious diseases in pet birds. Suppl Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet. 2003;25:43-48. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.426 PMID: 29655475 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.2 (Antifungal Agents Used in Birds).

· 665. Orosz SE, Frazier DL. Antifungal agents: a review of their pharmacology and therapeutic indications. J Avian Med Surg. 1995;9:8-18. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.426 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.2 (Antifungal Agents Used in Birds).

· 667. Orosz SE, Schroeder EC, Frazier DL. Pharmacokinetic properties of itraconazole in blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva aestiva). J Avian Med Surg. 1996;10:168-173. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.426 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.2 (Antifungal Agents Used in Birds).

· Aguilar R, Redig P. Diagnosis and treatment of avian aspergillosis. In: Bonagura JD, Abbott JA, Abrams KL, eds. Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy XII: Small Animal Practice, 12th ed., WB Saunders, Philadelphia; 1995. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.631 PMID: 32497229 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 6.2 (Antifungal Agents Used in Backyard Poultry, Gamebirds, and Waterfowl).

· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.426, Itraconazole, psittacine row; superscripts resolve to 665. Orosz SE, Frazier DL. Antifungal agents: a review of their pharmacology and therapeutic indications. J Avian Med Surg. 1995;9:8-18; 666. Orosz SE, Schroeder EC, Frazier DL. Itraconazole: a new antifungal drug for birds. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet; 1994:13-19; 702. Phalen DN. Common bacterial and fungal infectious diseases in pet birds — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.2 (Antifungal Agents Used in Birds).

· Holmes ML, Shine R, Waddle AW. Spontaneous reoccurrence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis infections in Australian green tree frogs (Litoria caerulea) following apparently successful heat therapy: Case report. Vet Res Commun. 2024;48(5):3229-3237. doi:10.1007/s11259-024-10449-2 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11442541/

· Martel A, Hellebuyck T, Van Waeyenberghe L. Treatment of infections with Nannizziopsis vriesii, an emergent reptilian dermatophyte. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Rept Amph Vet; 2009:69-70. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.222 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.3 (Antifungal Agents Used in Reptiles).

· Martel A, Hellebuyck T, Van Waeyenberghe L. Treatment of infections with Nannizziopsis vriesii, an emergent reptilian dermatophyte. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Rept Amph Vet; 2009:69-70.; Mitchell M. Ophidia. In: Fowler ME, Miller RE, eds. Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, 5th ed., Saunders/Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA; 2003:82-91. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.3 (Antifungal Agents Used in Reptiles).

· Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. | Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.772 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.1 (Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Rodents.a).

· Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015.; Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.1 (Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Rodents.a).

· Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015.; Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630.; Fehr M, Sassenburg L, Zwart P. Krankheiten der Heimtiere, 8th ed., Schluetersche Verlagsgesellschaft, Hannover, Germany; 2015. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.1 (Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Rodents.a).

· Mitchell M. Ophidia. In: Fowler ME, Miller RE, eds. Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, 5th ed., Saunders/Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA; 2003:82-91. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.222 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.3 (Antifungal Agents Used in Reptiles).

· Ness RD, Johnson-Delaney C. Sugar gliders. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2012:393-410.; Hedley J. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary. Part B: Exotic Pets, 10th ed., British Small Animal Veterinary Association.; Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW, et al. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Orcutt CJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 7.1 (Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Sugar Gliders).

· Orosz SE, Schroeder EC, Frazier DL. Itraconazole: a new antifungal drug for birds. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet; 1994:13-19. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.426 PMID: 29655475 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.2 (Antifungal Agents Used in Birds).

· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, Itraconazole, REPTILES section, printed p.708; Carpenter's 6th ed. Table 4.3 p.222 and Mader's Table 127.3 ('5 mg/kg PO q24h - Most species'); EECC snake table ('Itraconazole 10 mg/kg PO q24h') — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.3 (Antifungal Agents Used in Reptiles). — CORROBORATED 2026-08-06 by independent literature: Voriconazole, a safe alternative for treating infections caused by the Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). (Medical mycology, 2010). doi:10.3109/13693781003743122. https://doi.org/10.3109/13693781003743122. The paper reports this drug at this dose in this species: "d resistance in one isolate. Fourteen naturally-infected bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps), from […]". This is a second source alongside the book already cited; it corroborates the figure and does not by itself establish that the dose is correct.

· Ramsey I, ed. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed. Part B: Exotic Pets. Gloucester: British Small Animal Veterinary Association; 2023. p.169. — PRINTED DETAIL MISSING FROM THIS RULE (retrieved 2026-08-19): *"Amphibians: 0.0025% bath (2.50 ml aqueous itraconazole (1% Sporanox oral solution) to 1 l amphibian […]"* — BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10e Part B: Exotic Pets, p.169. Concentration verified by Carpenter's own printed conversion (Table 3.2: *"0.001% = 10 mg/L, 0.01% = 100 mg/L"*) → 0.0025% = 25 mg/L.

· Vella D. Cryptococcosis. In: Mayer J, Donnelly TM, eds. Clinical Veterinary Advisor: Birds and Exotic Pets; Elsevier Saunders, St. Louis, MO; 2013:439. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.934 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.2 (Antifungal Agents Used in Ferrets).

Itraconazole

Drug Class

Routes

Indications

Mechanism of Action

Side effects & warnings

Species with Itraconazole dosing data (45 dose rules)

Evidence levels across 45 dose rules

Sample dosing (2 of 45 cited rules)

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Itraconazole

Drug Class

Routes

Indications

Mechanism of Action

Side effects & warnings

Species with Itraconazole dosing data (45 dose rules)

Evidence levels across 45 dose rules

Sample dosing (2 of 45 cited rules)

Upgrade for Full Details

Articles mentioning Itraconazole

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