Health Library

Voriconazole (By injection)

Voriconazole (vor-i-KON-a-zole)

Treats fungal infections.

Brand Name(s):

PremierPro Rx Vfend I.V., Vfend I.V., Vfend Novaplus

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein. This medicine must be given slowly, so the needle should remain in place for up to 2 hours.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• Your doctor will give you a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves, and then switch you to an oral medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.
• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not use this medicine together with astemizole, carbamazepine, efavirenz, ivabradine, lemborexant, lurasidone, naloxegol, pimozide, quinidine, rifabutin, rifampin, ritonavir, sirolimus, St John's wort, terfenadine, tolvaptan, venetoclax, barbiturates (including phenobarbital), or ergot medicines (including dihydroergotamine, ergotamine).
• Some medicines can affect how voriconazole works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Alfentanil, axitinib, bosutinib, cabozantinib, ceritinib, cobimetinib, cyclosporine, dabrafenib, dasatinib, eszopiclone, everolimus, fentanyl, fluconazole, glasdegib, ibrutinib, methadone, methotrexate, nilotinib, omeprazole, oxycodone, phenytoin, ribociclib, sunitinib, tacrolimus, tretinoin, vinblastine, vincristine
  • Birth control pills (including ethinyl estradiol, norethindrone)
  • Blood pressure medicine
  • Blood thinner (including warfarin)
  • Medicine for anxiety or sleeping (including alprazolam, midazolam, triazolam)
  • Medicine to lower cholesterol
  • Medicine to treat HIV or AIDS (including amprenavir, delavirdine, nelfinavir, nevirapine, saquinavir)
  • NSAID pain medicine (including aspirin, celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen)
  • Oral diabetes medicine (including glipizide, glyburide, tolbutamide)
  • Steroid medicine

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, heart rhythm problems, or electrolyte imbalance. Tell your doctor if you recently had cancer treatment or a stem cell transplant.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Liver problems
  • Changes in heart rhythm, including QT prolongation
  • Kidney problems, including kidney failure
  • Pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas)
  • Infusion-related reactions
  • Serious skin reactions or problems, including skin cancer, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)
  • Adrenal gland problems
  • Bone pain (if used for a long period of time)
• This medicine may cause changes in vision. Do not drive (especially at night) or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.
• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
• Bone pain
• Change in how much or how often you urinate, painful urination, cloudy urine
• Changes in skin color, dark freckles
• Changes in vision, light sensitivity, or problems seeing colors
• Chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting
• Cold feeling, weakness, tiredness, weight loss
• Dark urine or pale stools, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Sudden or severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, lightheadedness
• Weight gain around your neck, upper back, breast, face, or waist

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle was placed

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024