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Voriconazole Injection
IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.
VORICONAZOLE – INJECTION
(vor-ih-CON-ah-zole)
COMMON BRAND NAME: Vfend
USES: This medication is used to treat fungal infections.
HOW TO USE: Give this medication by vein (IV), usually twice daily, or as directed by your doctor. The dose and duration of treatment depend on your condition and response to therapy. When you are able to take this drug by mouth, you may be switched to an oral form of this drug. Continue to use this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished. Stopping the medication too early may result in reinfection. Follow all directions for proper mixing and dilution with the correct IV fluids. If you have questions regarding the use of this medication, consult your pharmacist. Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid.
SIDE EFFECTS: Fever, chills, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, flushing, abdominal pain and headache may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: vision changes (e.g., blurring, color vision changes), sensitivity of eyes to light (photophobia). Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes, fast/irregular pulse, sun sensitivity. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: yellowing eyes or skin, unusual fatigue, dark urine, change in the amount of urine, easy bleeding or bruising, fainting. An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease, heart problems (e.g., irregular heartbeats including QTc prolongation), mineral/electrolyte imbalance (e.g., low blood levels of potassium, magnesium, or calcium), any allergies (especially to azole antifungal drugs such as itraconazole, ketoconazole). This medication, especially when used for long periods of time, may affect your vision. Your vision should be monitored closely while using this medication. Report promptly any loss of vision, problems recognizing colors correctly, or any other vision problems to your doctor. This drug may make you dizzy or cause vision changes; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Since this medication may cause vision changes, do not drive at night while using this medication. Limit alcoholic beverages. This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy, as it may cause fetal harm. Women should use a reliable form of birth control while using this medication. Consult your doctor for more details. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: This drug is not recommended for use with rifamycin antibiotics (e.g., rifabutin, rifampin), carbamazepine, barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital, mephobarbital), sirolimus, and ergot alkaloids (e.g., ergotamine, dihydroergotamine). Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Other drugs besides voriconazole which may affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation in the EKG) include terfenadine, astemizole, cisapride, dofetilide, pimozide, quinidine, sotalol, procainamide, and sparfloxacin among others. QTc prolongation can infrequently result in serious, rarely fatal, irregular heartbeats. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. Ask for instructions about whether you need to stop any other QTc-prolonging drugs you may be using in order to minimize the risk of this effect. Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially: cyclosporine, tacrolimus, phenytoin, sildenafil, cilostazol, tolterodine, “blood thinners” (e.g., warfarin), cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins such as atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin), anti-anxiety drugs (benzodiazepines such as midazolam, triazolam), calcium channel blockers (e.g., verapamil, dihydropyridines such as isradipine, felodipine), oral diabetic drugs (sulfonylureas such as glipizide, glyburide, tolbutamide), anti-cancer drugs (e.g., vinblastine, vincristine), proton pump inhibitors (e.g., lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole), HIV protease inhibitor drugs (e.g., amprenavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir), HIV non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (e.g., delavirdine, efavirenz, nevirapine). Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., liver, kidney, vision tests) may be performed to monitor your progress.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist to establish a new dosing schedule.
STORAGE: Store vials at room temperature (77 degrees F or 25 degree C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not freeze. Consult your pharmacist for details regarding the stability of the drug after dilution in correct IV fluids. Discard any unused fluid.