Voriconazole is used to treat worsening and serious fungal infections in your body and blood.
Take Voriconazole exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take it on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 1 hour after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Voriconazole is available as a tablet or powder for oral suspension.
If you are taking the tablet, swallow it whole with a glass of water.
If you are taking the oral suspension, tap or invert the bottle to loosen the dry powder and add the specified volume of water to reconstitute the suspension. Shake the bottle well before you take it to ensure that the liquid is evenly mixed. Use the measuring spoon or cup provided to measure your dose.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your infection.
Take Voriconazole at regular intervals. Do not skip any doses. You must complete the entire course of this medicine. If you don't, the infection will not be properly controlled.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take Voriconazole if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or similar medicines to treat fungal infections such as ketoconazole and itraconazole.
Do not take Voriconazole with certain antibiotics and medicines for irregular heartbeat, cold or allergy, mood disorder, and digestive problems. Please see the section "Can I take this with other medicines?" below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart problem e.g. irregular or abnormal heartbeat
- electrolyte imbalance (imbalance of essential minerals in the body) e.g. low potassium level in the blood
- porphyria (an inherited disorder that causes skin or nervous system abnormalities)
- kidney disease
- liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
It is important that you do not get pregnant while being treated with this medicine. You may wish to discuss birth control methods with your doctor or pharmacist.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to a child and the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Maintain good hygiene as this is important in managing fungal infections.
Individuals who are poor metabolisers of CYP2C19 may affect the effectiveness of Voriconazole. Although not routinely done, your doctor may advise you to undergo genetic testing to check if this medicine is best suited for you. If you know you have this gene type, inform your doctor.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
Routine tests (e.g. liver and kidney function, potassium level in the blood) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
Voriconazole may cause blurred vision or other eye problems. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to see clearly.
This medicine may also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Apply sunscreen when going outdoors and avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV lamps.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, constipation, difficulty sleeping, fever, and back pain.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, swelling in the legs and ankles
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- unexplained tiredness, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss
- seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not existent
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Voriconazole with the following medicines:
- cisapride (medicine for stomach problems)
- pimozide (medicine for mood disorders)
- medicines for cold or allergy e.g. terfenadine, astemizole
- certain medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. quinidine, ivabradine
- medicine used to treat TB, a lung infection known as tuberculosis e.g. rifampicin, rifabutin
- high dose ritonavir (medicine for HIV infection)
- medicine for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. carbamazepine
- medicine used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders e.g. sirolimus
- medicines for migraine e.g. ergotamine, dihydroergotamine
- St. John's wort (herbal medicine)
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- strong painkillers e.g. methadone, oxycodone
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin
- medicines for diabetes e.g. glibenclamide, glipizide
- cholesterol-lowering medicines e.g. simvastatin
- other medicines to treat epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenytoin
- medicines for anxiety e.g. midazolam
- NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. celecoxib
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Voriconazole.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Store the powder for oral suspension in the refrigerator between 2-8°C. Once you have mixed the powder with water, the oral suspension can be stored at room temperature of up to 30°C. Do not refrigerate or freeze it. Throw away any unused portion after 14 days.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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