Voriconazole (By mouth)

Introduction:

Voriconazole (vor-i-KON-a-zole)

Treats fungal infections.

Brand Name(s):

Vfend

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet, Liquid

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Shake the oral liquid well just before each use.Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
• It is best to take this medicine at least 1 hour before or 1 hour after a meal.
• Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not refrigerate or freeze the liquid form of this medicine. The liquid should be kept at room temperature and used within 14 days. Do not use the liquid medicine if it is older than 14 days. Ask your doctor if you need a new prescription.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using medicines to treat HIV or AIDS (such as amprenavir, delavirdine, efavirenz, nelfinavir, nevirapine, saquinavir, Agenerase®, Combivir®, Rescriptor®, Sustiva®, or Viracept®), diabetes medicines that you take by mouth (such as glipizide, glyburide, tolbutamide, Diabeta®, Glucotrol®, or Micronase®), a heart or blood pressure medicine (such as felodipine, verapamil, Lotrel®, or Norvasc®), medicines to lower cholesterol (such as atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, Altoprev®, Lescol®, Lipitor®, or Mevacor®), a blood thinner (such as warfarin or Coumadin®), or medicines for nerves or sleeping (such as alprazolam, triazolam, Halcion®, or Xanax®).
• Tell your doctor if you are also using cimetidine (Tagamet®), cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, or Sandimmune®), methadone (Dolophine®), omeprazole (Prilosec®), phenytoin (Dilantin®), tacrolimus (Prograf®), vinblastine (Velban®), vincristine (Oncovin®), or birth control pills.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have a mineral imbalance such as low levels of potassium, magnesium, or calcium in your blood. Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, or heart rhythm problems.
• The tablet form of this medicine contains lactose (milk sugar). The oral liquid contains sucrose (table sugar). Make sure your doctor knows if you have a condition that makes it hard for you to digest sugars or dairy products.
• This medicine may cause vision problems. Avoid driving (especially at night), using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you cannot see well. Call your doctor if you have any vision changes or if bright lights bother your eyes.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash.
• Change in how much or how often you urinate, or painful urination.
• Changes in vision, light sensitivity, or problems seeing colors.
• Chest pain.
• Dry mouth, increased thirst, or muscle cramps.
• Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and body aches.
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
• Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
• Pain in your lower leg (calf).
• Problems with balance or walking.
• Red or black stools.
• Red or dark brown urine.
• Redness, swelling, warmth, pain, or tenderness on your skin.
• Seeing or hearing things that are not really there.
• Seizures or tremors.
• Shortness of breath, cold sweats, and bluish-colored skin.
• Sudden or severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, enlarged abdomen, or upset stomach.
• Swelling in your face, hands, ankles, or feet.
• Swollen lymph nodes, or lumps on your neck, armpit, or groin.
• Twitching or muscle movements you cannot control.
• Unusual bleeding or bruising.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Agitation, confusion, depression, unusual dreams, or memory problems.
• Hair loss.
• Headache.
• Hearing problems or ear pain.
• Loss of appetite.
• Mild skin rash or itching.
• Muscle or joint pains.
• Nosebleeds.
• Painful menstruation (in women).
• Problems having sex.
• Sores or white patches on your lips, mouth, or throat.
• Swollen tongue, or bleeding and swollen gums.
• Tiredness or weakness.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: