Posaconazole injection

What is this medication?

POSACONAZOLE (POE sa KON a zole) is an antifungal medicine. It is used to prevent certain kinds of fungal or yeast infections.

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

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Noxafil

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
• history of low levels of calcium, magnesium, or potassium in the blood
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to posaconazole, antifungals, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medicine is injected into a vein. It is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic setting. It may also be given at home.

If you get this medicine at home, you will be taught how to prepare and give it. Use exactly as directed. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. Keep taking it unless your health care provider tells you to stop.

It is important that you put your used needles and syringes in a special sharps container. Do not put them in a trash can. If you do not have a sharps container, call your pharmacist or health care provider to get one.

Talk to your health care provider about the use of this medicine in children. While it 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.

What if I miss a dose?

If you get this medicine at the hospital or clinic: It is important not to miss your dose. Call your health care provider if you are unable to keep an appointment.

If you give yourself this medicine at home: 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. Call your health care provider with questions.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• certain medicines for cholesterol like atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, lomitapide
• certain medicines for irregular heart beat like dronedarone, quinidine
• cisapride
• ergot alkaloids like dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine
• ibrutinib
• lapatinib
• naloxegol
• other medicines that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal heart rhythm)
• pimozide
• sirolimus
• thioridazine

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• certain antivirals for HIV or hepatitis
• certain medicines for anxiety or sleep like alprazolam, midazolam, triazolam
• certain medicines for blood pressure like diltiazem, nifedipine, nicardipine, verapamil
• certain medicines for cancer like venetoclax, vinblastine, vincristine
• certain medicines for diabetes like glipizide
• certain medicines for seizures like phenytoin
• digoxin
• dofetilide
• medicines that lower your chance of fighting infection like cyclosporine, tacrolimus
• metoclopramide
• other medicines for fungal infections
• rifabutin
• ziprasidone

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?

Visit your health care provider for regular checks on your progress. Tell your health care provider if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. You may need blood work while you are taking this medicine.

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 (skin rash, itching or hives; swelling of the face, lips, or tongue)
• fever
• heartbeat rhythm changes (trouble breathing; chest pain; dizziness; fast, irregular heartbeat; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls)
• liver injury (dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; loss of appetite, right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired, yellowing of the eyes or skin, light-colored stool)

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

• cough
• diarrhea
• headache
• mouth sores
• nausea
• stomach pain
• 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.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

If you are using this medicine at home, you will be instructed on how to store this medicine. Get rid of any unused medicine after the expiration date.

To get rid of medicines that are no longer needed or have expired:

• Take the medicine to a medicine take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medicine, ask your pharmacist or health care provider how to get rid of this medicine safely.

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.