Voriconazole injection

What is this medicine?

VORICONAZOLE (vohr ih KON uh zohl) is an antifungal medicine. It is used to treat certain kinds of fungal or yeast infections.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is usually given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

If you get this medicine at home, you will be taught how to prepare and give this medicine. Use exactly as directed. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

It is important that you put your used needles and syringes in a special sharps container. Do not put them in a trash can. If you do not have a sharps container, call your pharmacist or healthcare provider to get one.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash or itching, hives, swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat

• bone pain

• changes in vision

• rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes

• redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

• signs and symptoms of a dangerous change in heartbeat or heart rhythm like chest pain; dizziness; fast, irregular heartbeat; palpitations; feeling faint or lightheaded; falls; breathing problems

• signs and symptoms of kidney injury like trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

• signs and symptoms of liver injury like dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; nausea; right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired; yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• hallucinations

• headache

• nausea, vomiting

• pain, redness or irritation at site where injected

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• astemizole

• barbiturates like phenobarbital

• carbamazepine

• certain antibiotics like rifabutin, rifampin

• certain medicines for cholesterol like atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, lomitapide

• certain medicines for irregular heart beat like dronedarone, quinidine

• cisapride

• efavirenz

• encorafenib

• ergot alkaloids like dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine

• ibrutinib

• other medicines that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal heart rhythm)

• naloxegol

• pimozide

• ranolazine

• ritonavir

• sirolimus

• St. John's wort

• terfenadine

• thioridazine

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS

• birth control pills

• certain medicines for blood pressure like amlodipine, nifedipine

• certain medicines for cancer like vinblastine, vincristine

• certain medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances like alprazolam, midazolam, triazolam

• certain medicines for diabetes like glipizide, glyburide, tolbutamide

• certain medicines for pain like alfentanil, fentanyl, methadone, oxycodone

• certain medicines for stomach problems like omeprazole

• certain medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin

• dofetilide

• medicines that lower your chance of fighting infection like cyclosporine, everolimus, tacrolimus

• NSAIDS, medicines for pain and inflammation, like diclofenac, ibuprofen

• other medicines for fungal infections

• phenytoin

• ziprasidone

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

If you are using this medicine at home, you will be instructed on how to store this medicine. Do not use if the solution is discolored or if it has any solids in it. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date on the label.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• heart disease

• history of irregular heartbeat

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• an unusual or allergic reaction to voriconazole, other antifungal medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.

You may need blood work done while you are taking this medicine.

Tell your health care professional right away if you have any change in your eyesight.

This medicine can make your more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.

This medicine may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medicine. Contact your health care provider right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

Women should inform their health care professional if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects and harm to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional for more information.