Anti-fungal medications

Some patients develop an allergy or hypersensitivity to a group of moulds call Aspergillus. The moulds are found everywhere especially in Autumn and Winter in the Northern Hemisphere and in the home, especially in bedding.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and severe asthma with fungal sensitisation (SAFS)

These are allergies to fungal spores and asthma patients might be found to have this causing worsening of their symptoms seasonally.
The treatment is with steroids and an antifungal agent, Itrconazole. Itrconazole is helpful in reducing the amount of steroids required to minimise side effects.
Itrconazole slows the body’s clearance of inhaled steroids. So the dose of inhaled steroids should be reduced, if possible whilst taking Itrconazole.
Adrenal function should also be monitored to ensure the body’s own production of steroids is not suppressed.
Itrconazole has significant interactions with many other drugs, consult manufaturers summary of product characteristics for full details.
Patients should be carefully counselled as to timing with other drugs.