Voriconazole

What is voriconazole?

Voriconazole is a medicine used to treat infections caused by yeast or fungi (such as Aspergillus or Candida). It works by killing or interfering with the growth of the yeast or fungi.

You may hear voriconazole called by its brand name Vfend. Voriconazole comes as a tablet or injection. The tablets contain lactose.

Before giving voriconazole to your child?

Tell your doctor if your child has:

• an allergy to voriconazole or other related drugs such as fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, or posaconazole

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. Precautions may need to be taken with this medicine if your child:

• has liver problems
• has problems with their eyes
• has heart disease or an irregular heartbeat
• is pregnant

How should you give your child voriconazole?

Follow these instructions when giving your child voriconazole:

• Give your child voriconazole for as long as the doctor or pharmacist tells you, even if your child seems better. Talk to your child's doctor before you stop giving voriconazole for any reason.
• Give your child voriconazole at the same times of the day, exactly as your child's doctor or pharmacist tells you. Pick a time that is easy for you so that you do not miss doses. Voriconazole is usually given every 12 hours.
• Give voriconazole on an empty stomach, at least one hour before or one hour after a meal.
• Have your child swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. If your child cannot swallow tablets, the tablet may be crushed, mixed with a small amount of water, and given right away.
• Shake well and give with the special spoon or syringe the pharmacist gave you, if your child is taking the liquid of voriconazole. Keep this medicine at room temperature.

What should you do if your child misses a dose of voriconazole?

• Give the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Give the next dose at the regular time.
• Do not give your child two doses to make up for one missed dose.

What are the possible side effects of voriconazole?

Your child may have some of these side effects while they take voriconazole. Check with your child's doctor if your child continues to have any of these side effects and they do not go away or they bother your child:

• blurred or abnormal vision: colour changes, sensitivity to light (most vision changes will disappear on their own within one hour)
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea (loose, watery stools)
• dizziness
• headache
• stomach pain
• feeling tired or weak

Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to the Emergency Department if your child has any of these side effects:

• chills, fever, flushing, sweating, muscle aches or pains, or other flu-like symptoms, especially if they occur with or shortly before a skin rash
• skin rash or blisters
• fast heartbeat, chest tightness, or feeling faint
• yellowing of the eyes and/or skin (jaundice) or dark coloured urine

What safety measures should you take when your child is using voriconazole?

Your child should avoid grapefruit juice or grapefruit while taking voriconazole. These increase the amount of voriconazole in the blood, which may cause more side effects. Read the labels of mixed fruit juices to ensure that they do not contain grapefruit juice.

Your child may sunburn more easily than normal while taking voriconazole. To help prevent sunburn:

• Avoid direct sunlight, especially between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Avoid sunlamps, bright indoor lights, and tanning beds.
• Wear a broad-brimmed hat, long sleeves, long pants, or skirt outside.
• Apply a sun block with a SPF 15 or higher.

Because voriconazole may cause vision problems, watch your child's activities closely until you see how voriconazole affects them. For example, your child may have problems with schoolwork, riding a bike, or playing sports.

There are some medicines that should not be taken together with voriconazole or in some cases, the dose of voriconazole or the other medicine may need to be adjusted. It is important that you tell your doctor and pharmacist if your child takes any other medications (prescription, over the counter, and herbal) including:

• certain medications used to thin the blood (such as warfarin, coumadin)
• sirolimus, tacrolimus
• cyclosporine
• nifedipine, amlodipine
• omeprazole
• HIV medications
• seizure medications (phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine)

What other important information should you know about voriconazole?

• Keep a list of all medications your child is on to show the doctor or pharmacist.
• Do not share your child's medicine with others and do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.
• Make sure you always have enough voriconazole to last through weekends, holidays, and vacations. Call your pharmacy at least two days before your child runs out of medicine to order refills.
• Keep voriconazole at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.
• Do not keep any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines.
  

Keep voriconazole out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much voriconazole, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.