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In this Article

• What is voriconazole (Vfend)?
• What are the possible side effects of voriconazole (Vfend)?
• What is the most important information I should know about voriconazole (Vfend)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking voriconazole (Vfend)?
• How should I take voriconazole (Vfend)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Vfend)?
• What happens if I overdose (Vfend)?
• What should I avoid while taking voriconazole (Vfend)?
• What other drugs will affect voriconazole (Vfend)?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking voriconazole (Vfend)?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to voriconazole, or if you are taking any of the following drugs:

• quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinora, Quinidex, Quinaglute, Quin-Release, Quin-G);
• sirolimus (Rapamune);
• carbamazepine (Tegretol);
• pimozide (Orap);
• phenobarbital;
• ritonavir (Norvir);
• efavirenz (Sustiva);
• rifabutin (Mycobutin) or rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater);
• an ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine, others) or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E., Migranal); or
• (these drugs are no longer available in the U.S.) terfenadine (Seldane) or astemizole (Hismanal).

The drugs listed above can cause dangerous serious or life-threatening drug interactions with voriconazole. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you are using.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use voriconazole:

• heart rhythm problems;
• a metabolic disorder such as high or low levels of calcium, potassium, or magnesium;
• liver disease;
• kidney disease; or
• a history of allergy to other antifungal medications such as fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or itraconazole (Sporanox).

Voriconazole tablets contain lactose. Before taking a voriconazole tablet, tell your doctor if you have a hereditary form of galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption.

FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not use voriconazole without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using voriconazole.

It is not known if voriconazole passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take voriconazole (Vfend)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take voriconazole at least one hour before or after eating a meal.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Do not mix the oral suspension with any other medicine or liquid.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated.

To be sure voriconazole is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

Voriconazole can cause problems with your vision. If you use this medicine for more than 28 days, you may need to have your eyes checked.

Store voriconazole tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Store the oral liquid at room temperature for up to 14 days. Throw away any unused liquid after 14 days.