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Voriconazole tablets

Voriconazole is an antifungal medication that stops the growth of fungus and yeast to treat infections. This medication comes in a tablet form that you can take by mouth with a glass of water. You should take this medication on an empty stomach.

What is this medication?

VORICONAZOLE (vohr ih KON uh zohl) is an antifungal. It stops the growth of some fungus and yeast. This medicine is used to treat many kinds of fungal infections.

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This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): VFEND

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • heart disease
  • history of irregular heartbeat
  • liver disease
  • an unusual or allergic reaction to voriconazole, other antifungal medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant
  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine on an empty stomach, at least one hour before or one hour after a meal. Do not take with food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Take all of your medicine as directed even if you think you are better. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine early.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

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What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

  • Alprazolam
  • Apalutamide
  • Certain antibiotics like rifabutin, rifampin
  • Certain medications for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital
  • Cisapride
  • Conivaptan
  • Dronedarone
  • Eletriptan
  • Encorafenib
  • Enzalutamide
  • Eplerenone
  • Ergot alkaloids like dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine
  • Finerenone
  • Flibanserin
  • Isavuconazonium
  • Ivabradine
  • Lomitapide
  • Lonafarnib
  • Lovastatin
  • Lurasidone
  • Naloxegol
  • Pimozide
  • Ranolazine
  • Silodosin
  • Simvastatin
  • Sirolimus
  • St. John's Wort
  • Thioridazine
  • Tolvaptan
  • Triazolam
  • Ubrogepant
  • Voclosporin

This medication may also interact with the following:

  • Birth control pills
  • Certain antivirals for HIV or hepatitis
  • Certain medications for blood pressure like amlodipine, nifedipine
  • Certain medications for cancer like vinblastine, vincristine
  • Certain medications for cholesterol like atorvastatin, cerivastatin, fluvastatin
  • Certain medications for diabetes like glipizide or glyburide
  • Certain medications for pain like alfentanil, fentanyl, methadone, oxycodone
  • Certain medications that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin
  • Cyclosporine
  • Everolimus
  • Ivacaftor
  • Letermovir
  • Methotrexate
  • Midazolam
  • NSAIDS, medications for pain and inflammation, like diclofenac, ibuprofen
  • Omeprazole
  • Other medications that prolong the QT interval (an abnormal heart rhythm)
  • Phenytoin
  • Steroid medications like prednisone or cortisone
  • Tacrolimus
  • Venetoclax

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.

You may need blood work done while you are taking this medicine.

Tell your health care professional right away if you have any change in your eyesight.

This medicine can make your more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.

This medicine may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medicine. Contact your health care provider right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

Women should inform their health care professional if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects and harm to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional for more information.

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What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • allergic reactions like skin rash or itching, hives, swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • bone pain
  • changes in vision
  • rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
  • redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
  • signs and symptoms of a dangerous change in heartbeat or heart rhythm like chest pain; dizziness; fast, irregular heartbeat; palpitations; feeling faint or lightheaded; falls; breathing problems
  • signs and symptoms of kidney injury like trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
  • signs and symptoms of liver injury like dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; nausea; right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired; yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • hallucinations
  • headache
  • nausea, vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

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Note: Introduction and Additional Common Questions written and medically approved by Cleveland Clinic professionals.

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