Vfend

Vfend is used for:

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Treating fungal infections.

Vfend is an azole antifungal. It works by blocking fungal cell wall growth, resulting in the death of the fungus.

Do NOT use Vfend if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Vfend
• you are taking a barbiturate (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, cisapride, an ergot alkaloid (eg, ergotamine), an H₁ antagonist (eg, astemizole, terfenadine), pimozide, quinidine, rifabutin, rifampin, or sirolimus
• you have galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption
• you are taking efavirenz or ritonavir. If you must take Vfend with efavirenz or ritonavir, your doctor may need to adjust your dose of these medicines
• you have untreated low blood calcium, magnesium, or potassium levels

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Vfend:

Some medical conditions may interact with Vfend. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you are allergic to other azoles (eg, fluconazole, itraconazole)
• if you have a history of heart problems (eg, cardiomyopathy) or abnormal blood calcium, magnesium, or potassium levels
• if you have liver problems (eg, cirrhosis), kidney problems, or a blood disease
• if you have ever been on chemotherapy

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Vfend. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, rifampin, or ritonavir because they may decrease Vfend's effectiveness
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), aripiprazole, benzodiazepines (eg, alprazolam), calcium channel blockers (eg, felodipine), cyclosporine, ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine), erlotinib, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, atorvastatin), macrolide immunosuppressants (eg, sirolimus, tacrolimus), methadone, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (eg, nevirapine), sulfonylureas (eg, glipizide), or vinca alkaloids (eg, vincristine) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Vfend
• Cisapride, H₁ antagonists (eg, astemizole, terfenadine), methadone, pimozide, or quinidine because the risk of their side effects, such as irregular heartbeat, may be increased by Vfend
• Efavirenz, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), or rifabutin because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Vfend or they may decrease Vfend's effectiveness
• HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), oral contraceptives (birth control pills), or proton pump inhibitors (eg, omeprazole) because the risk of side effects of both medicines may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Vfend may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Vfend:

Use Vfend as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Vfend. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Take Vfend by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or after eating.
• To clear up your infection completely, use Vfend for the full course of treatment. Keep using it even if you feel better in a few days.
• If you miss a dose of Vfend, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Vfend.

Important safety information:

• Vfend may cause blurred vision or sensitivity to light. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Vfend with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Avoid driving at night while you are using Vfend.
• Vfend may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Vfend. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Vfend may make your eyes more sensitive to sunlight. It may help to wear sunglasses. Avoid strong, direct sunlight.
• Vfend contains lactose and should not be used by patients with rare, hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption.
• If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
• Women of childbearing age should use an effective form of contraception (eg, birth control pills) while taking Vfend.
• Lab tests, including eye exams and liver and kidney function tests, may be performed while you use Vfend. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Vfend should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 12 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Vfend may cause harm to the fetus. Do not become pregnant while you are using it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Vfend while you are pregnant. It is not known if Vfend is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Vfend, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Vfend:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Blurred vision; change in color perception; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; mental or mood changes; nausea; sensitivity to light; sensitivity to the sun; stomach pain; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry stools; chest pain; dark urine; decreased urination; depression; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever or chills; flushing; hallucinations; one-sided weakness; pain or numbness of an arm or leg; red, swollen, or blistered skin; seizures; severe stomach pain; shortness of breath; speech changes; sudden, severe headache, nausea, dizziness, or fainting; suicidal thoughts; swelling of the arms or legs; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual fatigue; unusual vaginal bleeding; yellowing of the eyes or skin.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center ( http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include cloudy cornea; depression; dilated pupils; droopy eyelids; loss of balance; seizures; shortness of breath; swollen abdomen; unusual saliva production.

Store Vfend at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, light, and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Vfend out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Vfend, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Vfend is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Vfend. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

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