This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.
Brand Names: US
Vfend; Vfend IV
Brand Names: Canada
APO-Voriconazole [DSC]; JAMP-Voriconazole; SANDOZ Voriconazole; TEVA-Voriconazole; Vfend
What is this drug used for?
- It is used to treat fungal infections.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?
- If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you have any of these health problems: Low calcium levels, low magnesium levels, or low potassium levels.
- If you have been told that your body has problems with certain sugars (lactose, glucose, galactose). Some products have lactose.
- If you take any drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) that must not be taken with this drug, like certain drugs that are used for HIV, infections, seizures, and others. There are many drugs that must not be taken with this drug.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert or have clear eyesight until you see how this drug affects you.
- Avoid driving at night.
- Bright lights may bother you. Wear sunglasses.
- Have your blood work and other lab tests checked as you have been told by your doctor.
- Have an eye exam if you have taken this drug for 28 days or as you have been told by your doctor.
- Do not use longer than you have been told. A second infection may happen.
- This drug can make your skin very sensitive to the sun. The risk may be raised if you also take other drugs that make your skin sensitive to the sun. You may get a rash or sunburn more easily. Your skin may age faster from the sun. The risk of skin cancer may also be raised. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen with high SPF. Wear clothing and eyewear that protects you from the sun.
- An unsafe heartbeat that is not normal (long QT on ECG) has happened with this drug. Sudden deaths have rarely happened in people taking this drug. Talk with the doctor.
- If the patient is a child, use this drug with care. The risk of side effects, including serious skin sensitivity, may be higher in children.
- This drug may cause harm to an unborn baby. If you may become pregnant, you must use birth control while taking this drug. If you get pregnant, call your doctor right away.
- Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
All products:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of a pancreas problem (pancreatitis) like very bad stomach pain, very bad back pain, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up.
- Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
- Signs of lupus like a rash on the cheeks or other body parts, sunburn easy, muscle or joint pain, chest pain or shortness of breath, or swelling in the arms or legs.
- Signs of electrolyte problems like mood changes; confusion; muscle pain, cramps, or spasms; weakness; shakiness; change in balance; an abnormal heartbeat; seizures; loss of appetite; or severe upset stomach or throwing up.
- Signs of high or low blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
- Signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, unusual thirst or hunger, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
- Signs of a weak adrenal gland like a severe upset stomach or throwing up, severe dizziness or passing out, muscle weakness, feeling very tired, mood changes, decreased appetite, or weight loss.
- Fever or chills.
- Bone pain.
- Fast or abnormal heartbeat.
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
- Swelling.
- Any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
- Change in eyesight.
- Sunburn.
- Skin reaction to light.
- Skin cancer has happened in people who took this drug for a long time and had skin sensitive to sunlight. Taking certain other drugs may also raise the risk. Call your doctor right away if you have a change in color or size of a mole or any other skin change or growth.
- Liver problems have rarely happened with this drug. Sometimes, this has been deadly. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of liver problems like dark urine, tiredness, decreased appetite, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
- An overactive adrenal gland (Cushing’s syndrome) has happened when this drug was used with a steroid drug like prednisolone. Call your doctor right away if you have signs like abnormal weight gain; moon face; fatty hump between the shoulders; thinning of the skin; more hair growth; sweating a lot; darkened skin on the stomach, thighs, breasts, or arms; or easy bruising.
- Severe skin reactions may happen with this drug. These include Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and other serious reactions. Sometimes, body organs may also be affected. These reactions can be deadly. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; red or irritated eyes; sores in your mouth, throat, nose, eyes, genitals, or any areas of skin; fever; chills; body aches; shortness of breath; or swollen glands.
Injection:
- Rarely, some people have had a reaction during the infusion of this drug. Tell the doctor right away about any flushing, fever, sweating, fast heartbeat, chest tightness, shortness of breath, faintness, upset stomach, itching, or rash during the infusion of this drug.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Dizziness or headache.
- Constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, upset stomach, or throwing up.
- Mouth irritation.
- Signs of a common cold.
- Cough.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
How is this drug best taken?
Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
All oral products:
- Take this drug at least 1 hour before or 1 hour after a meal.
- Keep taking this drug as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
Liquid (suspension):
- Shake well before use.
- Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with this drug. If there is none, ask the pharmacist for a device to measure this drug.
- Do not mix with other liquids.
Injection:
- It is given as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
All oral products:
- Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
- Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
Injection:
- Call your doctor to find out what to do.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
All oral products:
- Store at room temperature. Do not refrigerate or freeze.
- Keep lid tightly closed.
- Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
Liquid (suspension):
- Throw away any part not used 2 weeks after this drug was mixed.
Injection:
- If you need to store this drug at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.
All products:
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
General drug facts
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.
Last Reviewed Date
2024-08-29
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