VFEND

what is VFEND
the possible side effects of VFEND
what happens if you miss a dose of VFEND
what happens if you overdose with VFEND
the most important information about VFEND
how to use VFEND
other drugs that may affect VFEND
what to avoid while using VFEND
 
Generic Name: voriconazole (vor ih CAW na zole)
Brand Names: VFEND
 
What is the most important information I should know about vfend?
 •  In rare cases, vfend has caused severe liver damage, sometimes resulting in death. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, unusual fatigue, loss of appetite, yellow skin or eyes, itching, dark urine, or clay colored stools. These symptoms may be early signs of liver damage.
 •  vfend may cause changes in vision including blurred vision and eye sensitivity to light. Do not drive at night, and use caution when performing potentially hazardous activities such as driving (in daylight) or operating machinery, while taking the medication. The effect of vfend on visual function is unknown if treatment continues beyond 28 days.
 •  Avoid exposure to strong, direct sunlight during treatment with vfend.
 •  Take vfend at least one hour before or after a meal.
 •  Take all of the vfend that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may begin to improve before the infection is completely treated.

What is vfend?
 •  vfend is an antifungal medication.
 •  vfend is used to treat fungal infections and yeast infections.
 •  vfend may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking vfend?
 •  Do not take vfend if you are taking any of the following drugs:
      · terfenadine (Seldane) or astemizole (Hismanal)
      · cisapride (Propulsid)
      · pimozide (Orap)
      · quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinora, Quinidex, Quinaglute, Quin-Release, Quin-G)
      · sirolimus (Rapamune)
      · efavirenz (Sustiva)
      · ritonavir (Norvir)
      · rifabutin (Mycobutin) or rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
      · carbamazepine (Tegretol, others)
      · phenobarbital or
      · an ergot medication such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine, others) or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E., Migranal).
 •  The drugs listed above may interact dangerously with vfend, possibly resulting in dangerous side effects or decreased effectiveness of the medication.
 •  Before taking vfend, tell your doctor if you have
      · liver disease or
      · kidney disease.
 •  You may not be able to take vfend, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.
 •  The vfend tablets contain lactose. Do not take the tablets without first talking to your doctor if you have a hereditary form of galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption.
 •  vfend is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that vfend is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take vfend without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Effective contraception is recommended for any woman who could potentially become pregnant during treatment with vfend.
 •  It is not known whether vfend passes into breast milk.Do not take vfend without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take vfend?
 •  Take vfend exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
 •  Take the tablets with a full glass of water.
 •  Take vfend at least one hour before or after a meal.
 •  Shake the suspension well before measuring a dose. To ensure that you get the correct dose, use the oral dispenser that is provided with the medication to measure the dose. Do not use a table spoon.
 •  Do not mix the suspension with any other medication or fluid.
 •  The intravenous (IV) form of vfend will be administered by a healthcare professional.
 •  It is important to take vfend regularly to get the most benefit.
 •  Take all of the vfend that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may begin to improve before the infection is completely treated.
 •  Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other forms of monitoring performed periodically during treatment with vfend.
 •  Store vfend tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Store the suspension at room temperature for up to 14 days. Do not refrigerate or freeze the suspension. Throw away any unused medication after 14 days.

What happens if I miss a dose?
 •  Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What happens if I overdose?
 •  Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
 •  Symptoms of an vfend overdose are not well known but might include visual problems, excessive salivation, enlarged pupils, loss of balance, decreased activity, shortness of breath, and seizures.

What should I avoid while taking vfend?
 •  vfend may cause changes in vision including blurred vision and eye sensitivity to light. Do not drive at night, and use caution when performing potentially hazardous activities such as driving (in daylight) or operating machinery, while taking the medication. The effect of vfend on visual function is unknown if treatment continues beyond 28 days.
 •  Avoid exposure to strong, direct sunlight during treatment with vfend.

What are the possible side effects of vfend?
 •  In rare cases, vfend has caused severe liver damage, sometimes resulting in death. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, unusual fatigue, loss of appetite, yellow skin or eyes, itching, dark urine, or clay colored stools. These symptoms may be early signs of liver damage.
 •  If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking vfend and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
      · an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing closing of the throat swelling of the lips, tongue, or face or hives) or
      · a skin rash.
 •  Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue taking vfend and talk to your doctor if you experience:
      · blurred vision, increased eye sensitivity to light, or other visual changes
      · nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
      · headache or
      · swelling or water retention.
 •  Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect vfend?
 •  Do not take vfend if you are taking any of the following drugs:
      · terfenadine (Seldane) or astemizole (Hismanal)
      · cisapride (Propulsid)
      · pimozide (Orap)
      · quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinora, Quinidex, Quinaglute, Quin-Release, Quin-G)
      · sirolimus (Rapamune)
      · efavirenz (Sustiva)
      · ritonavir (Norvir)
      · rifabutin (Mycobutin) or rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
      · carbamazepine (Tegretol, others)
      · phenobarbital or
      · an ergot medication such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine, others) or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E., Migranal).
 •  The drugs listed above may interact dangerously with vfend, possibly resulting in dangerous side effects or decreased effectiveness of the medication.
 •  Before taking vfend, tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
      · phenytoin (Dilantin, others)
      · tacrolimus (Prograf)
      · cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
      · warfarin (Coumadin)
      · omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), or pantoprazole (Protonix)
      · alprazolam (Xanax), midazolam (Versed), or triazolam (Halcion)
      · atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), or simvastatin (Zocor)
      · vinblastine sulfate (Velban), vincristine sulfate (Oncovin), or vinorelbine (Navelbine)
      · a calcium channel blocker such as verapamil (Isoptin, Verelan, Calan, Covera-HS), amlodipine (Norvasc), felodipine (Plendil), isradipine (DynaCirc), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), nimodipine (Nimotop), or nisoldipine (Sular)
      · an oral diabetes medicine such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase), tolbutamide (Orinase), tolazamide (Tolinase), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), and others
      · an HIV protease inhibitor such as saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase), lopinavir-ritonavir (Kaletra), ritonavir (Norvir), or nelfinavir (Viracept) or
      · an HIV non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor such as efavirenz (Sustiva), delavirdine (Rescriptor) or nevirapine (Viramune).
 •  You may not be able to take vfend, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
 •  Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with vfend. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.