Posaconazole
Description
Posaconazole is an antifungal which is used to treat a variety of infections caused by Candida species and Aspergillus species in patients with a weak immune system. Do not take this medicine if you have a known allergy to it.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Posaconazole
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness and Drowsiness
- Chest tightness
- Fever or chills
- Difficulty or painful urination
- Black or tarry stools
- Irregular heartbeat
- Pounding in ears
- Cough
- Yellow eyes or skin
Uses of Posaconazole
What is it prescribed for?
- Invasive Aspergillosis
- Candidemia
- Oral Thrush
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before receiving/taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving/taking this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known allergy to posaconazole or any other inactive ingredients present along with this medicine.
QT Interval prolonging drugs
This medicine is not recommended for co-administration with drugs that are known to cause specific changes in heart rhythm.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before receiving/taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving/taking this medicine.
General warnings
Hepatotoxicity
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
QT prolongation
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of QT prolongation due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. This risk is especially higher in patients with heart diseases or electrolyte disturbances and elderly patients. Report any incidence of discomfort in the chest, heart palpitations, etc., to the doctor on priority. Close monitoring of heart function and vital signs, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Driving or Operating machinery
Use of this medicine has been associated with symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, etc. in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.
Use in children
The primary ingredient of Posaconazole is available as parenteral and oral forms. The parenteral form of this medicine is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age and oral forms are not recommended for use in children below 13 years of age.
Missed Dose
Parenteral Form: Since this medicine is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Oral Form: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Parenteral Form: Since this medicine is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very less. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
Oral Form: Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Midazolam
Ondansetron
Ciprofloxacin
Alprazolam
Atorvastatin
Vincristine
Disease interactions
Renal Dysfunction
The injectable form of posaconazole is not recommended for use in patients with moderate to severe renal impairment unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Close monitoring of renal function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Parenteral Form: This medicine is usually administered in the clinical setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Oral form: Take this medicine as instructed by the doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts than advised/prescribed. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects. Do not stop taking the medicine before completion of the course/without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Posaconazole acts by stopping the production of a certain vital component for the fungi. This results in the disruption of cell membrane formation process and inhibits the growth of the organism.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Azole antifungals
Schedule
Schedule H
DailyMed - Noxafil- posaconazole suspension Noxafil- posaconazole tablet, coated Noxafil- posaconazole solution [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 5 December 2018]. Available from:
Posaconazole - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 5 December 2018]. Available from:
Posaconazole [Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 5 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 5 December 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 5 Mar 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.