Pronunciation: VOR-i-KON-a-zole
Generic Name: Voriconazole
Brand Name: Vfend
Vfend is used for:
Treating certain fungal infections.
Vfend is an azole antifungal. It works by blocking fungal cell wall growth, resulting in the death of the fungus.
Do NOT use Vfend if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Vfend
- you have galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption
- you have untreated low blood calcium, magnesium, or potassium levels
- you are taking astemizole, a barbiturate (eg, phenobarbital), cabazitaxel, carbamazepine, cisapride, crizotinib, dronedarone, an ergot alkaloid (eg, ergotamine), erythromycin, everolimus, fluconazole, lurasidone, pimozide, quinidine, rifabutin, rifampin, rivaroxaban, sirolimus, St. John's wort, terfenadine, or ticagrelor
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Vfend:
Some medical conditions may interact with Vfend. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you are allergic to other azole antifungals (eg, fluconazole, itraconazole)
- if you have a history of heart problems (eg, cardiomyopathy, irregular heartbeat); an abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) (a type of heart test); or low blood calcium, magnesium, or potassium levels
- if you have liver problems (eg, cirrhosis), kidney problems, pancreas problems, a weakened immune system, or a blood disease (eg, blood or bone marrow cancer)
- if you have trouble digesting dairy products or lactose
- if you have ever been on chemotherapy or have had a stem cell transplant
- if you have taken fluconazole within the last 24 hours
- if you are taking ritonavir. Vfend should not be taken with certain doses of ritonavir
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Vfend. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Medicines that may harm the kidney because the risk of kidney side effects may be increased. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure if any of your medicines might affect the kidney
- Medicines that may increase the risk of a certain type of irregular heartbeat (prolonged QT interval). Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure if any of your medicines may increase the risk of this type of irregular heartbeat
- Many other prescription and nonprescription medicines (eg, used for aches and pains, anxiety, birth control, blood flow problems, blood thinning, cancer, diabetes, drug dependence, heartburn or reflux, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, HIV, immune system suppression, infections, irregular heartbeat or other heart problems, mental or mood problems, pain, seizures, stomach or bowel problems), multivitamin products, or herbal or dietary supplements (eg, herbal teas, coenzyme Q10, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, St. John's wort) may interact with Vfend. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure if any of your medicines might interact with Vfend
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Vfend may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Vfend:
Use Vfend as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- An extra patient leaflet is available with Vfend. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
- Take Vfend by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 1 hour after eating.
- To clear up your infection completely, take Vfend for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
- If you miss a dose of Vfend, take it as soon as possible. If it is more than 6 hours after the missed dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Vfend.
Important safety information:
- Vfend may cause blurred vision or sensitivity to light. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Vfend with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Avoid driving at night while you are using Vfend.
- Vfend may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Vfend. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
- Certain types of skin cancers (eg, melanoma, squamous cell) have been reported in patients who became sensitive to sunlight while taking Vfend for a long period of time. Contact your doctor if you notice a change in the appearance of a mole or other unusual skin change or growth. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- Vfend may make your eyes more sensitive to sunlight. It may help to wear sunglasses. Avoid strong, direct sunlight.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Vfend before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Women who may become pregnant should use effective birth control (eg, birth control pills) while taking Vfend. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about effective birth control.
- Lab tests, including eye exams, liver and kidney function, and pancreas function, may be performed while you use Vfend. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Vfend should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 12 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Vfend may cause harm to the fetus. Do not become pregnant while you are using it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Vfend while you are pregnant. It is not known if Vfend is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Vfend.
Possible side effects of Vfend:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Blurred vision; headache; nausea; sensitivity to light; sensitivity to the sun; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing or swallowing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); abnormal thoughts; black, tarry stools; bone pain; calf or leg pain, redness, swelling, or tenderness; change in the appearance of a mole; chest, jaw, or arm pain; confusion; decreased urination; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; flushing; hallucinations; mental or mood changes (eg, depression); mouth sores; one-sided weakness; red, swollen, peeling, or blistered skin; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness or headache; shortness of breath; speech changes; sudden, severe nausea or vomiting; suicidal thoughts or actions; swelling of the arms or legs; symptoms of liver problems (eg, yellowing of the skin or eyes; dark urine; pale stools; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; loss of appetite; itching); symptoms of pancreatitis (eg, severe stomach or back pain, with or without nausea or vomiting); unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual skin change or skin growth; unusual sweating or weakness; unusual tiredness; unusual vaginal bleeding; vision changes (eg, color vision change, persistent or severe blurred vision or sensitivity to light).
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Vfend side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Vfend:
Store Vfend at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Vfend out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Vfend, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Vfend is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Vfend. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Vfend resources
- Vfend Side Effects (in more detail)
- Vfend Dosage
- Vfend Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Vfend Drug Interactions
- Vfend Support Group
- 1 Review for Vfend - Add your own review/rating
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