What is voriconazole?
Voriconazole is an antifungal prescription medicine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of certain fungal infections, such as aspergillosis and esophageal candidiasis (an infection of the esophagus and a type of mucocutaneous candidiasis).
Mucocutaneous candidiasis is a fungal infection that is caused by Candida yeasts and affects the skin and mucus memebranes (such as in the mouth or vagina). Both mucocutaneous candidiasis (also called mucosal candidiasis) and aspergillosis are opportunistic infections. An opportunistic infection is an infection that occurs more frequently or is more severe in people with weakened immune systems—such as those infected with HIV—than in people with healthy immune systems.
Voriconazole can also be used “off-label” to prevent and treat other opportunistic infections of HIV infection. “Off-label” use refers to use of an FDA-approved medicine in a manner different from that described on the medicine label. Good medical practice and the best interests of a patient sometimes require that a medicine be used “off-label.”
What HIV-related opportunistic infections is voriconazole used for?
The Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in HIV-Infected Adults and Adolescents, prepared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), includes recommendations on the HIV-related uses of voriconazole to treat:
- Esophageal candidiasis, which is an infection of the esophagus and a type of mucocutaneous candidiasis.
- Oropharyngeal candidiasis, which is an infection of part of the throat and a type of mucocutaneous candidiasis. (This is an “off label” use.)
- Invasive aspergillosis.
What should I tell my health care provider before taking voriconazole?
Before taking voriconazole, tell your health care provider:
- If you are allergic to voriconazole or any other medicines.
- About any medical conditions you have or have had, for example, diabetes or liver problems.
- About anything that could affect your ability to take medicines, such as difficulty swallowing or remembering to take pills.
- If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Voriconazole can harm your unborn baby. Voriconazole should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit clearly outweighs the potential risk to the unborn baby.
- If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you are infected with HIV.
- About other prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Ask your health care provider if there are interactions between voriconazole and the other medicines you take.
Ask your health care provider about possible side effects from voriconazole. Your health care provider will tell you what to do if you have side effects.
How should I take voriconazole?
Take voriconazole according to your health care provider’s instructions. Your health care provider will tell you how much voriconazole to take and when to take it. Before you start voriconazole and each time you get a refill, read any printed information that comes with your medicine.
How should voriconazole be stored?
- Store vials of voriconazole powder for injection solution at 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C). After reconstitution with water, the solution should be used immediately. Only clear solution without particles should be used.
- Store voriconazole tablets at 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).
- Store voriconazole powder for oral suspension in a refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) before reconstitution. After reconstitution, the oral suspension should be stored at 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C). Do not refrigerate or freeze it. Any remaining oral suspension should be thrown away 14 days after reconstitution.
- Safely throw away voriconazole that is no longer needed or expired (out of date).
- Keep voriconazole and all medicines out of reach of children.
Where can I find more information about voriconazole?
More information about voriconazole is available:
Last Reviewed: November 14, 2012
Last Updated: November 14, 2012