This first section of our medication database entry focuses on basic drug characteristics, uses and benefits, while part two covers side effects, interactions and additional information.
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VFEND Consumer Information
VFEND
Generic Name: voriconazole (vor ih CAW na zole)
Brand Names: VFEND
What is the most important information I should know about voriconazole?
- In rare cases, voriconazole has caused severe liver damage, sometimes resulting in death. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, unusual fatigue, loss of appetite, yellow skin or eyes, itching, dark urine, or clay colored stools. These symptoms may be early signs of liver damage.
- Voriconazole may cause changes in vision including blurred vision and eye sensitivity to light. Do not drive at night, and use caution when performing potentially hazardous activities such as driving (in daylight) or operating machinery, while taking the medication. The effect of voriconazole on visual function is unknown if treatment continues beyond 28 days.
- Avoid exposure to strong, direct sunlight during treatment with voriconazole.
- Take voriconazole at least one hour before or after a meal.
- Take all of the voriconazole that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may begin to improve before the infection is completely treated.
What is voriconazole?
- Voriconazole is an antifungal medication.
- Voriconazole is used to treat fungal infections.
- Voriconazole may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking voriconazole?
- Do not take voriconazole if you are taking any of the following drugs:
- terfenadine (Seldane) or astemizole (Hismanal);
- cisapride (Propulsid);
- pimozide (Orap);
- quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinora, Quinidex, Quinaglute, Quin-Release, Quin-G);
- sirolimus (Rapamune);
- rifabutin (Mycobutin) or rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane);
- carbamazepine (Tegretol, others);
- phenobarbital; or
- an ergot medication such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine, others) or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E., Migranal).
- The drugs listed above may interact dangerously with voriconazole, possibly resulting in dangerous side effects or decreased effectiveness of the medication.
- Before taking voriconazole, tell your doctor if you have
- liver disease; or
- kidney disease.
- You may not be able to take voriconazole, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.
- The voriconazole tablets contain lactose. Do not take the tablets without first talking to your doctor if you have a hereditary form of galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption.
- Voriconazole is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that voriconazole is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take voriconazole without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Effective contraception is recommended for any woman who could potentially become pregnant during treatment with voriconazole.
- It is not known whether voriconazole passes into breast milk. Do not take voriconazole without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take voriconazole?
- Take voriconazole exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
- Take each dose with a full glass of water.
- Take voriconazole at least one hour before or after a meal.
- The intravenous (IV) form of voriconazole will be administered by a healthcare professional.
- Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other forms of monitoring performed periodically during treatment with voriconazole.
- Take all of the voriconazole that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may begin to improve before the infection is completely treated.
- Store voriconazole at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
- Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
What happens if I overdose?
- Seek emergency medical attention.
- Symptoms of an voriconazole overdose are not well known but might include visual problems, excessive salivation, enlarged pupils, loss of balance, decreased activity, shortness of breath, and seizures.
What should I avoid while taking voriconazole?
- Voriconazole may cause changes in vision including blurred vision and eye sensitivity to light. Do not drive at night, and use caution when performing potentially hazardous activities such as driving (in daylight) or operating machinery, while taking the medication. The effect of voriconazole on visual function is unknown if treatment continues beyond 28 days.
- Avoid exposure to strong, direct sunlight during treatment with voriconazole.
Please see the end of this document for relevant limitations, full details of our medication information supplier, and revision date or version number.