Voriconazole (Injection)

Introduction:

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

Treats fungal infections.

Brand Name(s):

Vfend I.V.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins. This medicine is given slowly, so the needle will remain in place for up to 2 hours.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

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.
• 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).
• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed.
• 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: