Voriconazole is used to treat certain serious fungal infections in your body and blood.
It can also be used to treat fungal infection of the oesophagus (the tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach).
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.
You may take Voriconazole at least 1 hour before or after a meal.
This medicine is available in tablet and oral suspension.
If you have been given an oral suspension or syrup, 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 out your prescribed dose.
Take Voriconazole at regular intervals as instructed. You may need to take this medicine for some time before the full benefits can be felt. Continue to take this medicine even when you feel better and do not stop taking unless advised by the doctor to do so.
You must complete the entire course of medicine. Do not skip any doses. If you don't, the infection will not clear completely.
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.
Alert your doctor if you ever had an allergic reaction (breathlessness, rashes, swollen eyes) to similar antifungal medications such as fluconazole, itraconazole and ketoconazole.
Do not take Voriconazole with certain herbal medicines, antibiotics, medicine for allergy, gastric disorder, viral infection, mood disorder, migraine and heart disease. 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 disease
- liver disease
- kidney disease
- risk factors for inflammation of the pancreas (e.g. recent chemotherapy)
- imbalance of certain salts (e.g. potassium, magnesium, calcium) in the blood
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Maintain good hygiene as this is important in managing fungal infections.
Certain genetic traits (CYP2C19) can affect effectiveness of Voriconazole.
Poor metabolisers may experience side effects, while ultrarapid metabolisers may not fully respond to this medicine. Although not routinely done, your doctor may advise you to take genetic testing to check if this medicine is best suited for you. If you know if you have this gene type, inform your doctor.
Voriconazole may cause any of the following side effects: diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fever, chills, rash, headache and swelling of the hands or legs.
You may also experience some problems with your vision, such as blurring. Always keep your doctor updated of any changes in your vision. If you are not able to see clearly, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience:
- hallucinations (seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not existent)
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- breathlessness, swollen mouth or eyes
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 (medicines for gastric disorder)
- medicines for allergy e.g. terfenadine, astemizole
- pimozide (medicine for mood disorder)
- quinidine (medicine for heart disease)
- medicines to treat tuberculosis e.g. rifampicin, rifabutin
- carbamazepine (epilepsy medicines)
- medicines to treat AIDS e.g. efavirenz, ritonavir
- migraine medicines containing ergotamine or dihydroergotamine
- medicines for organ transplant e.g. sirolimus, tacrolimus, ciclosporin
- St. John's wort (a herbal mood medicine)
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for moderate to severe pain e.g. methadone, oxycodone
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. clopidogrel, warfarin
- medicines to treat diabetis e.g. tolbutamide, glibenclamide (glyburide), glipizide
- cholesterol-lowering medicines e.g. simvastatin, lovastatin
- medicines for sleep disorder e.g. midazolam, triazolam
- medicines for cancer such as vinca alkaloids e.g. vincristine, vinblastine
- omeprazole (a gastric medicine)
- NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. ibuprofen, diclofenac
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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