Vfend (Voriconazole)

Description

Vfend (voriconazole) is a medication used to treat adults and pediatric patients two years of age or older who have certain fungal infections.

Directions

Follow the instructions that come with your prescription. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to your doctor or pharmacist.

Vfend comes in tablets of 50 mg and 200 mg strengths. It's also available in a 40 mg/mL oral suspension.

The dose may require an adjustment in adults who have liver or kidney issues.

Vfend tablets and oral suspension should be stored at room temperature. Throw away the suspension after 14 days.

Shake the suspension for about 10 seconds before each use. Use the dropper that comes with your prescription.

Ingredients

The active ingredient in Vfend is voriconazole. 

The inactive ingredients in Vfend tablets include croscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, povidone, pregelatinized starch, and a coating containing hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, titanium dioxide, and triacetin.

The inactive ingredients in the Vfend oral suspension include anhydrous citric acid, colloidal silicon dioxide, natural orange flavor, sodium benzoate, sodium citrate dihydrate, sucrose, titanium dioxide, and xanthan gum.

Contraindications

Avoid taking Vfend if you have an allergy to voriconazole or any of the other ingredients or excipients in Vfend.

Avoid taking Vfend with pimozide, quinidine, sirolimus, or ivabradine as drug interactions may occur and lead to serious reactions. If you do not know if you are taking any of these medications, ask your doctor.

Avoid taking Vfend with rifampin, carbamazepine, long-acting barbiturates, efavirenz, ritonavir, rifabutin, ergot alkaloids, and St. John's Wort as this may cause the medication to be less effective. If you do not know if you are taking any of these medications, ask your doctor.

Avoid taking Vfend with naloxegol, tolvaptan, and lurasidone as drug interactions may occur and lead to serious reactions. If you do not know if you are taking any of these medications, ask your doctor.

Avoid taking Vfend with venetoclax at the start of and during the ramp up phase in patients who have chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). Drug interactions may occur and lead to serious reactions. If you do not know if you are taking venetoclax, ask your doctor.

Cautions

• Before treatment with Vfend is initiated, talk to your doctor:
• About your allergies
• About your medical conditions
• About all the prescription and nonprescription medications you take. These also include vitamins and herbal supplements.
• About your pregnancy status or plans to become pregnant.
• About your breastfeeding status or plans to breastfeed.
• Liver dysfunction or injury can occur with the use of Vfend. Liver function should be checked.
• Arrhythmias and QT prolongation can occur with the use of Vfend. Talk to your doctor about any risk factors you may have.
• Vision problems can occur with the use of Vfend. Your vision should be checked if you take Vfend for more than 4 weeks.
• Severe exfoliative cutaneous reactions can occur with the use of Vfend.
• Photosensitivity can occur with the use of Vfend. Sunlight exposure should be avoided. Wear protective clothing and apply sunscreen with a high SPF if you go out into the sunlight. 
• Kidney problems or injury can occur with the use of Vfend. Kidney function should be checked.
• Adrenal dysfunction can occur with the use of Vfend.
• Vfend can cause fetal harm.
• Electrolyte abnormalities can occur with the use of Vfend. 
• Pancreatitis can occur with the use of Vfend. 
• Skeletal reactions, including fluorosis and periostitis can occur with the use of Vfend. 
• Intolerance to galactose can occur with the use of Vfend. Avoid taking Vfend if you have glucose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption.

Side Effects

In adult patients, the most common side effects reported include vision problems, fever, nausea, rash, vomiting, chills, headache, abnormal liver function tests, rapid heart rate, and hallucinations.

In pediatric patients, the most common side effects reported include vision problems, fever, vomiting, nosebleeds, nausea, rash, stomach pain, diarrhea, high blood pressure, low potassium levels in the blood, cough, headache, low platelet levels, abnormal ALT, low blood pressure, peripheral edema, high blood glucose levels, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, low calcium levels in the blood, low phosphorus levels in the blood, abnormal LFT, mucosal inflammation, eye discomfort in the presence of bright lights, abdominal distention, constipation, dizziness, hallucinations, coughing up blood, low albumin levels, low magnesium levels in the blood, kidney problems, and upper respiratory tract infection.

If side effects develop that continue or worry you, inform your doctor right away.

Reference:

Vfend (voriconazole). New York, NY: Pfizer, Inc.; 2022.

About Dr. Savannah Muncy (Page Author)

Dr. Muncy (PharmD) studied science and education as an undergraduate before attending the Appalachian College of Pharmacy where she completed her PharmD in three years. She is currently using her pharmacy and healthcare expertise to write medical content for clients all around the world. She is focused on delivering the most current, accurate, and engaging information to healthcare professionals and patients. Read More....