Voriconazole

Description

Voriconazole is used to treat a variety of fungal infections of the lungs, mouth, and throat. Take this medicine at least 1 hour before or after food. Do not take this medicine if you have a known allergy to it.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Voriconazole

  • Increased sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight
  • Skin rash
  • Abdominal pain
  • Convulsions
  • Dizziness
  • Increased thirst
  • Yellow colored eyes or skin
  • Muscle pain
  • Irritability
  • Severe sunburn
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache

Uses of Voriconazole

What is it prescribed for?

  • Invasive Aspergillosis
  • Esophageal Candidiasis
  • Candidemia
  • Fungal Pneumonia
  • Fusariosis
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The peak effect of this medicine can be observed in 1 to 2 hours.
  • Duration of effect
    The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 6 hours.
  • 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 pregnant women unless clearly needed. Consult your doctor regarding potential benefits and risks before taking this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    Sufficient information is not available on whether this medicine is excreted through breast milk. Stop breastfeeding if it's necessary to take this medicine. Consult your doctor regarding potential benefits and risks before taking this medicine.

Allergy

Voriconazole is not recommended for use if you have a known allergy to this medicine.

QT Interval prolonging drugs

Voriconazole 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 pregnant women unless clearly needed. Consult your doctor regarding potential benefits and risks before taking this medicine.

Breast-feeding

Sufficient information is not available on whether this medicine is excreted through breast milk. Stop breastfeeding if it's necessary to take this medicine. Consult your doctor regarding potential benefits and risks before taking this medicine.
General warnings

Liver injury

Voriconazole may increase the liver enzyme levels and can cause hepatitis and jaundice. Close monitoring of liver function (through tests) is necessary at the time of initiation of the treatment. Discontinue the medicine if symptoms worsen.

Visual Disturbances

Voriconazole may cause visual disturbances like optic neuritis and papilledema. Close monitoring of visual function is necessary if treatment continues beyond 28 days.

Arrhythmia and QT Prolongation

Voriconazole may cause Arrhythmia and QT Prolongation especially in the patients with existing heart disease. Close monitoring of heart function is necessary. Do not use medicines that can increase the risk of arrhythmia.

Impaired kidney function

Use of intravenous Voriconazole is not recommended in the patients with moderate to severe kidney injury (creatinine clearance level < 50 mL/min) due to the risk of accumulation. Oral dosage forms may be considered after assessing benefits and risks.

Monitoring pancreas function

Voriconazole may increase the risk of pancreatitis in the patients who have undergone recent chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Close monitoring of the functioning of the pancreas is necessary.

Skin reactions

Voriconazole may cause serious skin reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome or photosensitivity skin reaction. Close monitoring of skin reactions is necessary. Avoid exposure to sunlight by wearing protective clothing and using sunscreen with high sun protection factor (SPF).

Pediatric population

The safety and effectiveness of Voriconazole is not established in patients who are less than 2 years of age.

Missed Dose

The missed dose can be taken as soon as you remember. If it is time for the next dosage then the missed dose can be skipped.

Overdose

Inform your doctor immediately if you are experiencing symptoms of 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

Alprazolam

Cisapride

Clopidogrel

Warfarin

Atorvastatin

Disease interactions

Liver Disease

Voriconazole should be administered with caution if you are suffering from impaired liver functioning. Suitable dosage adjustment and safety monitoring is necessary in such cases.

QT Prolongation

Voriconazole should be administered with caution if you have any pre-existing heart conditions. Suitable dosage adjustment and safety monitoring is recommended in such cases.

Kidney Disease

Suitable adjustment in dosage is required based on the extent of kidney impairment. If the patient is on hemodialysis then the level of this medicine in the blood should be monitored after each session and then the adjusted dose should be administered.
Food interactions
Take Voriconazole at least 1 hour before or after food for better absorption.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Voriconazole should be taken following all the instructions that are given by your doctor. To ensure complete recovery and no relapse, the full course of treatment should be followed. It is more effective if taken at the same time on all days. Any instance of side effects should be reported to the doctor immediately.
Miscelleneous

To be taken on an empty stomach

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
Voriconazole acts by stopping the production of a certain vital component for the fungi. This results in disruption of cell membrane formation process and inhibits the growth of the organism.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Azole antifungals

Schedule

Schedule H

[Internet]. 2017 [cited 23 March 2017]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/10059

DailyMed - Voriconazole tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 23 March 2017]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=16a80777-f1f3-45bb-a312-998b07767fe3

Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 23 March 2017]. Available from:

https://www.tga.gov.au/prescribing-medicines-pregnancy-database#searchname

Voriconazole - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 16 November 2017]. Available from:

https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00582

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Information on this page was last updated on 16 Nov 2017

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.