Voriconazole
About Voriconazole
Voriconazole belongs to the class of medicines known as 'antifungals' used to treat a broad range of infections caused due to fungi and yeast. A fungal infection is caused when a fungus invades and affects any part of the body, including the mouth, throat, esophagus, lungs, bladder, genital area and blood.
Voriconazole contains ‘Voriconazole’ that kills or prevents fungi or yeast by inhibiting an enzyme in fungi responsible for its normal fat metabolism, which interferes with the fungal cell membrane's formation. As a result, fungal or yeast cells get killed, or their growth is minimized.
Take Voriconazole as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Voriconazole for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending upon your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as vomiting, headache, nausea, abnormal liver function tests, rash, slow heart rate, and altered vision. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Do not take Voriconazole if you have had an allergic reaction Voriconazole or any of its ingredients. Voriconazole is associated with liver toxicity, including fatalities in patients with other serious underlying diseases. Voriconazole is a pregnancy category D drug, so it should not be taken by breastfeeding and pregnant women. Exposure to sunlight should be avoided while taking $Name as it makes you sensitive to the sun's UV rays or use a high sun protection factor (SPF) while going out. Antacid should be taken at 2 hours after taking Voriconazole.
Uses of Voriconazole
Medicinal Benefits
Voriconazole belongs to the class of medicines known as 'antifungal' containing Voriconazole, used to treat a broad range of infections caused due to fungi and yeast. It treats various fungal infections like invasive aspergillosis (fungal infection in the lungs), esophageal candidiasis (white patching in the mouth and throat) and candidemia (a fungal infection in the blood). It is also used to treat certain fungal infections when other medications do not work for certain patients. It works by killing or preventing fungi or yeast by inhibiting an enzyme in fungi responsible for its normal fat metabolism, interfering with the fungal cell membrane's formation. As a result, fungal or yeast cells get killed, or their growth is minimized.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Voriconazole
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Nausea
- Abnormal liver function tests
- Rash
- Sinus infections
- Low numbers of white and red blood cells
- Slow heart rate
- Altered vision
- Low blood sugar
- Depression, hallucinations
Drug Warnings
Do not take Voriconazole if you have been allergic to any of its ingredients. Voriconazole is associated with liver toxicity, including fatalities in patients with other serious underlying diseases. If you are suffering from liver disease, the doctor will lower the dose, and a regular liver function test will be done. Voriconazole is a pregnancy category D drug, so it should not be taken by breastfeeding and pregnant women. If you are suffering from a heart problem like an irregular heartbeat, slow heart rate or abnormality in ECG (electrocardiogram), please inform your doctor before starting Voriconazole. Exposure to sunlight should be avoided while taking Voriconazole as it makes you sensitive to the sun's UV rays, or use a high sun protection factor (SPF) while going out. Antacid should be taken at 2 hours after taking Voriconazole.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Voriconazole may interact with drugs treating mental illness (pimozide, quetiapine), depression (reboxetine), migraine (ergotamine, dihydroergotamine), epilepsy (carbamazepine), tuberculosis (rifabutin, rifampin), organ transplant (sirolimus), HIV (ritonavir), stomach problems (cisapride).
Drug-Food Interaction: Voriconazole is known to interact with St. John's wort plant (a natural remedy to treat depression). Also, consumption of alcohol should be avoided while taking Voriconazole.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Tell your doctor before taking Voriconazole if you have a medical history of allergic reactions to medicines, heart disease, liver or kidney problems, blood disorders like acute porphyria, or low magnesium and potassium levels.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is advisable to avoid or limit the intake of alcohol while you use Voriconazole.
Pregnancy
unsafeIt is unsafe to take Voriconazole during pregnancy since it may show harmful effects on the fetus as it is a pregnancy category D drug. There are chances of spontaneous abortions in women treated with Voriconazole in the first trimester. Consult your doctor for further advice.
Breast Feeding
cautionIf you are breastfeeding, please consult your doctor before taking Voriconazole. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
cautionDo not drive or operate machines if you experience dizziness or sensitivity to sunlight after taking Voriconazole.
Liver
cautionInform your doctor if you have liver problems before taking Voriconazole. Your doctor may adjust the dose if necessary based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionInform your doctor if you have kidney problems before taking Voriconazole. Your doctor may adjust the dose if necessary based on your condition.
Children
cautionPlease consult your doctor. Your doctor will prescribe Voriconazole based on your child's age, condition, and body weight.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Don't walk barefoot in wet places such as changing rooms and gym showers to prevent fungal infections.
- Do not scratch the affected skin; it can spread the infection to other body parts.
- Avoid sharing towels, combs, bedsheets, shoes or socks with others.
- Wash your bedsheets and towels regularly.
- Avoid taking Voriconazole (oral form) with foods containing chocolate and caffeine, such as cocoa beans, tea, coffee, cola and energy drinks, as it may increase the adverse effects of caffeine.
- Avoid alcohol intake with Voriconazole (oral form) as it may cause adverse effects and increase the risk of liver damage.
- It is advisable to follow a candida diet during yeast infections. This diet excludes sugar, gluten, certain dairy products, and alcohol and switches to low-sugar fruits, non-starchy vegetables, and gluten-free foods. A very high-sugar or high-carbohydrate diet may increase the count of Candida in some people.
Special Advise
- Liver function tests should be monitored regularly while taking Voriconazole.
- Wear a strong SPF while going out in the sun.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Fungal infection: It occurs when a fungus enters, infects and multiplies in the body. Fungi can live in water, soil, air and plants. Fungi affect any part of the body, including the mouth, throat, esophagus, lungs, bladder, genital area and blood. Mild fungal skin infections are common and can cause rashes. Fungal infections affecting body organs like the lungs can cause flu or tuberculosis. Some fungal diseases like cryptococcal meningitis and blood infections can be fatal. A few common fungal infections are yeast infections that affect the genital area, esophagus and urinary tract caused by Candida.
Invasive aspergillosis: A fungal infection that starts in the lungs and spreads throughout the bloodstream to other organs.
Esophageal candidiasis: A yeast (a type of fungus) infection that may cause white patching in the mouth and throat.
Candidemia: A fungal infection in the blood.
FAQs
Voriconazole is used to treat fungal infections.
Voriconazole belongs to the class of medicines known as 'antifungal' containing Voriconazole, used to treat a broad range of infections caused due to fungi and yeast. It works by killing or preventing fungi or yeast by inhibiting an enzyme in fungi responsible for its normal fat metabolism, which interferes with the formation of the fungal cell membrane. As a result, fungal or yeast cells get killed, or their growth is minimized.Â
There is no clinical evidence that Voriconazole affects fertility in either men or women.
Voriconazole may not be suitable for some people with a weakened immune system, diabetes, cancer or low blood magnesium or potassium levels.
You can take Voriconazole with contraceptive pills. However, some studies show a chance of an increase in the body's hormonal levels when you take Voriconazole with a combined pill. Seek your doctor's advice if any side effects occur.
Yes, fungal infection is a contagious skin condition that spreads from one person to another through direct skin-to-skin contact or by contact with contaminated soil or surfaces and infected animals. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid close direct contact until the infection is clear and avoid sharing things with the infected person, as it can also spread the infection.
Voriconazole may cause side effects such as vomiting, headache, nausea, rash, slow heart rate, low blood sugar and changes in vision. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Voriconazole is effective if used as advised by your doctor. Do not stop taking Voriconazole early, even if you see improvement as it may cause recurring or worsening symptoms.
If you forget to take a dose of Voriconazole, take it as soon as you remember. But, if it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your regular dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
Before taking Voriconazole, you should let your doctor know if you are allergic to Voriconazole or any of its ingredients to avoid any allergic reactions. Inform your doctor if you have any problems with your heart, kidneys or liver and if you are suffering from diabetes (as Voriconazole contains sugar). Tell your doctor about all the other medicines you are taking to avoid drug interactions. Also, inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding to prevent any harmful effects on the baby.
Avoid driving or anything that requires concentration while taking Voriconazole as it may cause dizziness or sensitivity to sunlight.
Voriconazole should be stored at room temperature. Keep it out of reach of children.
