Cresemba Side Effects

Generic name: isavuconazonium

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 6, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Cresemba Side Effects associated with isavuconazonium. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Cresemba.

Applies to isavuconazonium: intravenous powder for solution.

Other dosage forms:

• oral capsule

Serious side effects of Cresemba

Along with its needed effects, isavuconazonium (the active ingredient contained in Cresemba) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking isavuconazonium:

More common side effects

• bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• bloody urine
• blurred vision
• chest pain or tightness
• confusion
• decreased frequency or amount of urine
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• muscle pain or cramps
• muscle spasms (tetany) or twitching
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• seizures
• severe nausea or vomiting
• sweating
• tingling of the hands or feet
• trembling
• trouble breathing
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common or rare side effects

• black, tarry stools
• chills
• cough or hoarseness
• dark urine
• fever with or without chills
• hives, itching, or rash
• irritation
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• light-colored stools
• painful or difficult urination
• red, swollen skin
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• stomach pain
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• upper right abdominal or stomach pain
• yellow eyes and skin

Incidence not known

• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• diarrhea
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes

Other side effects of Cresemba

Some side effects of isavuconazonium may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• acid or sour stomach
• anxiety
• back pain
• headache
• heartburn or indigestion
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• trouble sleeping
• unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness

Less common or rare side effects

• burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• decreased vision
• eye pain
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• hearing loss
• loss or thinning of the hair
• sensation of spinning
• unsteadiness or awkwardness
• weakness in arms, hands, legs, or feet

For healthcare professionals

Applies to isavuconazonium: intravenous powder for injection, oral capsule.

General adverse events

The most common side effects were nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, elevated liver chemistry tests, hypokalemia, constipation, dyspnea, cough, peripheral edema, back pain, abdominal pain, injection site reaction, and rash. Serious side effects were reported in 55% of patients. Therapy was permanently discontinued due to side effects in 14% of patients; confusional state, acute renal failure, increased blood bilirubin, convulsion, dyspnea, epilepsy, respiratory failure, and vomiting led to permanent discontinuation most often.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 27.6%), vomiting (up to 25%), diarrhea (up to 23.7%), abdominal pain (16.7%), constipation (up to 14%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dyspepsia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abdominal distension
• Frequency not reported: Gastritis, gingivitis, stomatitis^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Hypokalemia (up to 19.1%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Decreased appetite, hypomagnesemia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypoalbuminemia, hypoglycemia, malnutrition
• Frequency not reported: Hyponatremia^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Very common (10% or more): Elevated liver chemistry/laboratory tests (includes increased ALT, increased AST, increased blood alkaline phosphatase, increased blood bilirubin, increased blood lactate dehydrogenase, increased GGT, increased hepatic enzyme, abnormal hepatic function, hyperbilirubinemia, abnormal liver function test, increased transaminases; up to 17.1%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Elevated liver transaminases (ALT or AST)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatitis, hepatomegaly
• Frequency not reported: Cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, hepatic failure, cholestasis^[Ref]

Elevated liver transaminases (ALT or AST) greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal (3 x ULN) and greater than 10 x ULN were reported in 4.4% and 1.2% of patients, respectively.^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Dyspnea (up to 17.1%), cough (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Acute respiratory failure
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bronchospasm, tachypnea, hemoptysis, epistaxis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 17%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Somnolence
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Convulsion, syncope, dizziness, paresthesia, encephalopathy, presyncope, peripheral neuropathy, dysgeusia, vertigo
• Frequency not reported: Epilepsy, hypoesthesia, migraine, stupor, tremor, tinnitus^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Peripheral edema (up to 15.2%), fatigue (10.5%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Malaise, asthenia
• Frequency not reported: Infusion-related reactions (including hypotension, dyspnea, chills, dizziness, paresthesia, hypoesthesia), catheter thrombosis, chills, fall^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Insomnia (10.5%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Delirium (includes agitation, confusional state, delirium, disorientation, mental status changes), anxiety
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Depression
• Frequency not reported: Confusion, hallucination^[Ref]

Renal

• Very common (10% or more): Renal failure (10.1%)
• Frequency not reported: Acute renal failure^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Back pain (up to 10.1%)
• Frequency not reported: Myositis, bone pain, neck pain^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypotension, thrombophlebitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, bradycardia, reduced QT interval on ECG/shortened ECG QT, palpitations, supraventricular extrasystoles, supraventricular tachycardia, tachycardia, ventricular extrasystoles, circulatory collapse
• Frequency not reported: Cardiac arrest^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash, pruritus
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Alopecia, dermatitis, petechiae, drug eruption
• Frequency not reported: Exfoliative dermatitis, erythema, urticaria^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site reaction^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, pancytopenia, anemia
• Frequency not reported: Agranulocytosis^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Frequency not reported: Hematuria, proteinuria^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Optic neuropathy^[Ref]

Further information

Cresemba side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer