Voriconazole

Voriconazole is used for:

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Treating fungal infections.

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

Do NOT use Voriconazole if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Voriconazole
• you are taking a barbiturate (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, cisapride, an ergot alkaloid (eg, ergotamine), an H₁ antagonist (eg, astemizole, terfenadine), pimozide, quinidine, rifabutin, rifampin, sirolimus, or St. John's wort
• you have galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption
• you are taking ritonavir
• 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 Voriconazole:

Some medical conditions may interact with Voriconazole. 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 azole antifungals (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, pancreas problems, or a blood disease
• if you have ever been on chemotherapy or have had a stem cell transplant

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

• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, rifampin, ritonavir, St. John's wort because they may decrease Voriconazole'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, nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) (eg, nevirapine), sulfonylureas (eg, glipizide), or vinca alkaloids (eg, vincristine) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Voriconazole
• 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 Voriconazole
• Efavirenz, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), or rifabutin because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Voriconazole or they may decrease Voriconazole'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 Voriconazole 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 Voriconazole:

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

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Voriconazole. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Take Voriconazole by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or after eating.
• To clear up your infection completely, take Voriconazole for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
• If you miss a dose of Voriconazole, 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 Voriconazole.

Important safety information:

• Voriconazole may cause blurred vision or sensitivity to light. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Voriconazole 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 Voriconazole.
• Voriconazole may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Voriconazole. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Voriconazole may make your eyes more sensitive to sunlight. It may help to wear sunglasses. Avoid strong, direct sunlight.
• 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 Voriconazole.
• Lab tests, including eye exams, liver and kidney function, and pancreas function, may be performed while you use Voriconazole. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Voriconazole 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: Voriconazole 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 Voriconazole while you are pregnant. It is not known if Voriconazole is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Voriconazole, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Voriconazole:

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 Voriconazole 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 Voriconazole out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Voriconazole, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Voriconazole 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 Voriconazole. 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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