Voriconazole is a medication to treat yeast infections. Some of the diseases caused by fungal infections that can be treated with this drug are invasive aspergillosisesophageal candidiasis, candidemia, and other serious fungal infections.
Voriconazole belongs to the azole antifungal group which works by damaging the structure of the fungal cell membrane, so that the fungal cell membrane cannot function properly. That way, the growth of the fungus can be stopped.
Variconazole trademark: Vfend, Vorica
What's thatVoriconazole
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | azole antifungals |
| Benefit | Treating serious and dangerous fungal infections |
| Consumed by | Adults and children |
| Voriconazole for pregnant and lactating women | Category D:There is positive evidence of risks to the human fetus, but the benefits may outweigh the risks, eg to treat a life-threatening situation. It is not known whether voriconazole is absorbed into breast milk or not. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Film-coated tablets and injections |
Precautions Before Using Voriconazole
Voriconazole should only be used with a doctor's prescription. Before using voriconazole, you need to pay attention to the following points:
- Do not use voriconazole if you are allergic to this drug or to other azole antifungal drugs, such as fluconazole or itraconazole.
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages while undergoing treatment with voriconazole, because it can increase the risk of liver disorders.
- Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, hypokalemia, lactose intolerance, or hypomagnesemia.
- Tell your doctor if you are new to or about to have surgery, including dental surgery.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain supplements, herbal products, or medications, such as carbamazepine, cisapride, efavirenz, quinidine, rifampicin, birth control pills, or ergotamine.
- Do not drive a vehicle or operate heavy machinery while you are being treated with voriconazole, as this drug may cause vision impairment.
- Avoid being in the sun for too long while you are taking voriconazole, as this medicine can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
- See your doctor immediately if you have an allergic reaction or overdose after using voriconazole.
Dosage and Instructions for Use of Voriconazole
The doctor will give the dose and determine the length of treatment according to the patient's condition. The following is the division of voriconazole dosage based on the form of the drug:
Film-coated tablet form
Condition: invasive aspergillosis, candidaemia, candidiasis esophagus, candidal infections of the deep tissues, and scedosporiosis or fusariosis
- Adult weighing 40 kg: 400 mg every 12 hours for the first 24 hours, followed by 200 mg every 12 hours. The dose may be increased to 300 mg every 12 hours or reduced to 50 mg.
- Adults weighing <40 kg: 200 mg every 12 hours. The dose may be increased to 150 mg every 12 hours or reduced to 50 mg.
- Children aged 2–14 years weighing <50 kg: 9 mg/kg every 12 hours. The maximum dose is 350 mg.
Voriconazole is also available in injectable form. For this dosage form, the administration will be directly given by a doctor or medical officer under the supervision of a doctor. The dose will be adjusted according to the age and condition of the patient.
How to useVoriconazole Correctly
Follow the doctor's instructions or the information listed on the medicine package when using voriconazole tablets. Use voriconazole according to the recommended dose. Do not increase the dose without consulting your doctor first.
Voriconazole tablets can be taken 1 hour before meals or 1 hour after meals. Use water to swallow the voriconazole tablet.
Voriconazole injection will be given directly by a doctor or medical officer under the supervision of a doctor. The drug will be injected into a vein and given 1 time a day via infusion for 1 hour.
Store voriconazole tablets in a place away from direct sunlight. Keep out of reach of children.
Interaction of Voriconazole with Other Drugs
There are several drug interactions that can occur if voriconazole is used together with other medicines, including:
- Increased risk of fatal heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias) if used with astemizole, cisapride, quinidine, pimozide, or terfenadine
- Increased risk of ergotism if used with -class drugs ergot alkaloids, such as dihydroergotamine or ergotamine
- Decreased effectiveness of the drug voriconazole when used with carbamazepine, phenobarbital, rifampicin, rifabutin, ritonavir, birth control pills, or John's wort
- Increased levels of ciclosporin, opioids, tacrolimus, or NSAIDs, in the blood
- Increased risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant drugs, such as warfarin
Voriconazole Side Effects and Dangers
There are several side effects that can occur after using voriconazole, including:
- Headache
- Nauseous
- Throw up
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- dry mouth
Check with your doctor if the side effects above do not subside. Immediately see a doctor if there is an allergic reaction to the drug which can be characterized by the appearance of an itchy rash on the skin, swollen eyelids and lips, or difficulty breathing.
In addition, you should also see a doctor immediately if you experience more serious side effects, such as:
- Visual disturbance
- Dark urine
- Fever
- hallucination
- Stomach ache
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Increased or irregular heartbeat
- Yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice)
- Tremor
- Seizures
- Faint
