The Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV) on Friday asked doctors to use caution in prescribing orally-taken antifungal drugs with ketoconazole, especially for patients with a history of liver diseases.

The DAV also asked the Drug Information Center to keep a close watch on possible harmful effects of drugs with ketoconazole, including Nizoral tablets.

On June 8, the French Agency for the Safety of Medical Products AFSSAPS banned the sale of Nizoral tablets, which are manufactured by the pharmaceutical group Janssen-Cilag, a unit of US Johnson & Johnson. Nizoral was found to be toxic for the liver when taken orally.

France will start recalling Nizoral tablets on July 11.

In Vietnam, Nizoral tablets produced in Belgium and other drugs with ketoconazole are available in the market.

Nizoral tablets contain the active ingredient ketoconazole, which is prescribed to treat fungal and yeast infections.