Vfend

What is it?

An azole antifungal preparation available as film-coated, white tablets in 2 strengths both containing voriconazole; white, contain 50mg marked Pfizer and VOR50; white, capsule-shaped, contain 200mg, marked Pfizer and VOR200.

Medical Uses

Serious fungal infections including invasive aspergillosis, candida infections (includingC. kruseli) resistant to fluconazole, serious, progressive and potentially life-threatening infections caused byScedosporium and Fusarium species in patients with low immunity. Also, WEND INFUSION, available as a powder in vials containing 10mg of voriconazole per ml.

Dosage

Adults, tablets, start with loading dose of 400mg every 12 hours on first day, in patients weighing over 40kg, or 200mg in those weighing less than 40kg. Then a maintenance dose of 200mg twice each day in those weighing more than 40kg or 100mg in those weighing under 40kg. Children, aged over 2 years, 6mg per kg of body weight as loading dose every 12 hours on first day then maintenance dose of 4mg per kg of body weight twice each day. All doses should be taken 1 hour before or 1 hour after a meal. Infusion, adults and children aged over 2 years, 6mg per kg of body weight every 12 hours as loading dose during first day, then maintenance of 4mg per kg of body weight twice each day. All by intravenous infusion at a maximum rate of 3mg per kg of body weight every hour.

Special Care

Moderate and serious kidney disorders, cirrhosis of liver, allergy to other azole preparations. Blood tests are required during the course of treatment and patients should avoid exposure to sunlight. Women of childbearing age should use reliable contraception.

Avoid Use

Children aged under 2 years, pregnancy, breastfeeding.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Astemizole, phenobarbitone, terfenadine, ergot alkaloids, phenytoin, rifampicin, cisapride, rifabutin, quinidine, sirolimus, carbamazepine, pimozide. Other inducers or inhibitors of CYP2C 19, CYP3A4, CYP2C9.

Known Side Effects

Blood changes including alterations in chemistry, disturbances to heart and circulation, pain, fever, flu- like symptoms, kidney disorder, disturbances to CNS, respiratory disorders, fluid retention/swelling in face and peripheral tissues, disturbance of vision. With infusion, skin effects, liver reactions. Any adverse side effects should be reported to the Committee on the Safety of Medicines (CSM).