VFEND ratings & reviews

Voriconazole
Company: Pfizer
Brand: VFEND
Drug class: General Anti-infectives Systemic
+2 more
General Anti-infectives Systemic, Systemic Antifungals, Azole Antifungals

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Sermo AI Overview

  • VFEND is generally recognized for its effectiveness against various fungal infections, particularly fusariosis and aspergillosis, with some specialists noting high efficacy ratings, especially in certain medical specialties like cardiac surgery and hematology oncology.
  • While many physicians find VFEND effective, there are mixed opinions regarding its efficacy across different conditions and specialties, with rates ranging from very positive to notably low, indicating variable effectiveness for treatments like endocarditis and myocarditis.
  • Adherence to VFEND treatment shows considerable variability among patients, often influenced by the costs and complexities of managing the medication, which can affect overall treatment outcomes across various conditions like candidemia and pericarditis.
  • VFEND requires careful prescribing due to potential interactions with other medications and is not recommended for use in pregnant women or those with specific health conditions, underlining the necessity for individualized treatment plans.
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Based on insights from Sermo’s triple verified physicians

Description

VFEND contains voriconazole, an azole antifungal agent, in the form of a powder for oral suspension. The suspension, when reconstituted, contains 40 mg/mL of voriconazole. Key inactive ingredients include anhydrous citric acid, colloidal silicon dioxide, orange flavor, sodium benzoate, sodium citrate dihydrate, sucrose, titanium dioxide, and xanthan gum.

Source: This information is sourced from FDA and powered by AI

Dosage & Administration

How should I use this medication?

This medication is infused into a vein. It is usually given by your care team in a hospital or clinic setting. It may also be given at home.

If you get this medication 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 care team 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 care team to get one.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication 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 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.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

You will be instructed on how to store this medication. Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.

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

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

Side Effects

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

  • Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
  • Bone pain
  • Cushing syndrome—increased fat around the midsection, upper back, neck, or face, pink or purple stretch marks on the skin, thinning, fragile skin that easily bruises, unexpected hair growth
  • Eye pain, change in vision, vision loss
  • Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing
  • Infusion reactions—chest pain, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, feeling faint or lightheaded
  • Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
  • Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
  • Low adrenal gland function—nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness
  • Pancreatitis—severe stomach pain that spreads to your back or gets worse after eating or when touched, fever, nausea, vomiting
  • Rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
  • Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
  • Sensitivity to light

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

  • Chills
  • Fever
  • 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.

Warnings & Precautions

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
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • An unusual or allergic reaction to voriconazole, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
  • Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
  • Breast-feeding

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

  • Adagrasib
  • Alfuzosin
  • Alprazolam
  • Apalutamide
  • Certain antibiotics, such as rifabutin, rifampin
  • Certain medications for seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital
  • Cisapride
  • Conivaptan
  • Dronedarone
  • Eletriptan
  • Encorafenib
  • Enzalutamide
  • Eplerenone
  • Ergot alkaloids, such as dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine
  • Finerenone
  • Flibanserin
  • Isavuconazonium
  • Ivabradine
  • Lomitapide
  • Lonafarnib
  • Loperamide
  • Lovastatin
  • Lurasidone
  • Mavacamten
  • Mirtazapine
  • Naloxegol
  • Pacritinib
  • Pimozide
  • Posaconazole
  • Quinidine
  • Ranolazine
  • Silodosin
  • Simvastatin
  • Sirolimus
  • St. John's wort
  • Thioridazine
  • Tolvaptan
  • Triazolam
  • Ubrogepant
  • Voclosporin
  • Ziprasidone

This medication may also interact with the following:

  • Certain antivirals for HIV or hepatitis
  • Certain medications for blood pressure, such as amlodipine, nifedipine
  • Certain medications for cancer, such as axitinib, bosutinib, cabozantinib, ceritinib, cobimetinib, dabrafenib, dasatinib, glasdegib, ibrutinib, nilotinib, ribociclib, sunitinib, vinblastine, vincristine
  • Certain medications for cholesterol, such as atorvastatin, cerivastatin, fluvastatin
  • Certain medications for diabetes, such as glipizide or glyburide
  • Certain medications for pain, such as alfentanil, fentanyl, methadone, oxycodone
  • Certain medications that treat or prevent blood clots, such as warfarin
  • Cyclosporine
  • Estrogen and progestin hormones
  • Eszopiclone
  • Everolimus
  • Ivacaftor
  • Lemborexant
  • Letermovir
  • Methotrexate
  • Midazolam
  • NSAIDS, medications for pain and inflammation, such as diclofenac, ibuprofen
  • Omeprazole
  • Other medications that cause heart rhythm changes
  • Phenytoin
  • Steroid medications, such as prednisone or cortisone
  • Tacrolimus
  • Tretinoin
  • 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 medication.

You may need blood work while taking this medication.

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

This medication 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 medication may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medication. Contact your care team 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. You may also notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

Talk to your care team if you wish to become pregnant or think you might be pregnant. This medication can cause serious birth defects. Talk to your care team about reliable forms of contraception.

Source: This information is sourced from Elsevier Inc.

Disclaimer

The reviews, ratings, comments, and opinions expressed on this platform are solely those of the individual medical professionals who posted them and do not reflect the views or positions of Sermo, Inc. Sermo does not endorse, verify, or validate the content of individual reviews. The information provided is user-generated and reflects personal clinical experiences, which may not be complete, accurate, or applicable to your specific health needs. It is not intended as medical advice.

Prescription medications affect individuals differently, and what works for one person may not work for another. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed applies to your personal circumstances. Only a licensed healthcare provider can advise you on what is safe and effective for you.

Keep all medications out of the reach of children, never share your medicine with others, and use each medication only as prescribed. Your reliance on any information provided on this platform is at your own risk.

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