Voriconazole

GENERIC NAME: VORICONAZOLE - ORAL (vor-ih-CON-ah-zole)

DRUG INTERACTIONS
This drug is not recommended for use with rifamycin antibiotics (e.g., rifabutin, rifampin), carbamazepine, barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital, mephobarbital), sirolimus, and ergot alkaloids (e.g., ergotamine, dihydroergotamine). Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Other drugs besides voriconazole which may affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation in the EKG) include terfenadine, astemizole, cisapride, dofetilide, pimozide, quinidine, sotalol, procainamide, and sparfloxacin among others. QTc prolongation can infrequently result in serious, rarely fatal, irregular heartbeats. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. Ask for instructions about whether you need to stop any other QTc-prolonging drugs you may be using in order to minimize the risk of this effect. Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially: cyclosporine, tacrolimus, phenytoin, sildenafil, cilostazol, tolterodine, "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), cholesterol-lowering drugs ("statins" such as atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin), anti-anxiety drugs (benzodiazepines such as midazolam, triazolam), calcium channel blockers (e.g., verapamil, dihydropyridines such as isradipine, felodipine), oral diabetic drugs (sulfonylureas such as glipizide, glyburide, tolbutamide), anti-cancer drugs (e.g., vinblastine, vincristine), proton pump inhibitors (e.g., lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole), HIV protease inhibitor drugs (e.g., amprenavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir), HIV non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs such as delavirdine, efavirenz, nevirapine). Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

USES
Voriconazole is an azole-type antifungal used to treat a variety of fungal infections.

HOW TO USE
Take this medication by mouth, usually twice daily, or take as directed by your doctor. The dose and duration of treatment depend on your condition and response to therapy. Take this medication on an empty stomach, at least one hour before a meal or one hour after a meal. Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished. Stopping the medication too early may result in reinfection.

SIDE EFFECTS
Fever, chills, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, flushing and headache may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: vision changes (e.g., blurring, color vision changes), sensitivity of eyes to light (photophobia). Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes, fast/irregular pulse, sun sensitivity. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: change in the amount of urine, easy bleeding or bruising, fainting. This drug may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) liver problems. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, unusual fatigue, stomach/abdominal pain. A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS
Before taking voriconazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other azole-type antifungal drugs (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole); or if you have any other allergies. Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: liver disease, intolerance to galactose or lactose, heart problems (e.g., irregular heartbeats including QTc prolongation), mineral/electrolyte imbalance (e.g., low blood levels of potassium, magnesium, or calcium). This medication, especially when taken for long periods of time, may affect your vision. Your vision should be monitored closely while taking this medication. Report any loss of vision, problems recognizing colors correctly, or any other vision problems promptly to your doctor. This drug may make you dizzy or cause vision changes; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Since this medication may cause vision changes, do not drive at night while taking this medication. Limit alcoholic beverages. This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy as it may cause fetal harm. Women should use a reliable form of birth control while taking this medication. Consult your doctor for more details. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

OVERDOSE
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

MISSED DOSE
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE
Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Note : This product information is intended only for residents of the India. Taj Pharmaceuticals Limited, medicines help to treat and prevent a range of conditions—from the most common to the most challenging—for people around the world.