Generic Name: posaconazole (poe sa KONE a zole)
Brand Names: Noxafil
What is posaconazole?
Posaconazole is an antifungal medication that fights certain infections caused by fungus.
Posaconazole is used to prevent fungal infections in people with weak immune systems resulting from chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation.
Posaconazole may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about posaconazole?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to posaconazole, or if you are using any of the following drugs:
halofantrine (Halfan);
pimozide (Orap);
quinidine (Quin-G);
simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin);
sirolimus (Rapamune) or tacrolimus (Prograf); or
ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray), ergonovine (Ergotrate), or methylergonovine (Methergine).
Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Posaconazole will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea. Posaconazole may not work as well while during this time.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using posaconazole?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to posaconazole, or if you are using any of the following drugs:
halofantrine (Halfan);
pimozide (Orap);
quinidine (Quin-G);
simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin);
sirolimus (Rapamune) or tacrolimus (Prograf); or
ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray), ergonovine (Ergotrate), or methylergonovine (Methergine).
To make sure you can safely take posaconazole, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome";
a history of allergy to antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or voriconazole (Vfend);
liver disease; or
a heart rhythm disorder.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether posaconazole will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. It is not known whether posaconazole passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 13 years old.
How should I take posaconazole?
Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Posaconazole works best if you take it within 20 minutes after a full meal or a nutritional supplement (such as Ensure). Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. Measure the liquid with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea. Posaconazole may not work as well while during this time.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested often. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.
Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Posaconazole will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
See also: Posaconazole dosage (in more detail)
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking posaconazole?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
Posaconazole side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
fever, chills, cough, body aches, flu symptoms;
slow, fast, or pounding heartbeats;
feeling light-headed, fainting;
numbness or tingly feeling around your mouth, muscle tightness or contraction, overactive reflexes;
confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling;
swelling of your ankles or feet;
nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, chest pain, shortness of breath, seizure).
Less serious side effects may include:
mild headache, tired feeling;
joint or muscle pain;
sleep problems (insomnia);
mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation; or
mild skin rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Posaconazole Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Aspergillosis -- Invasive:
Prophylaxis: 200 mg orally three times a day
Duration of therapy should be based on recovery from immunosuppression or neutropenia.
Usual Adult Dose for Candidemia:
Prophylaxis: 200 mg orally three times a day
Duration of therapy should be based on recovery from immunosuppression or neutropenia.
Usual Adult Dose for Oral Thrush:
Oropharyngeal candidiasis:
Initial dose: 100 mg orally twice a day on the first day
Maintenance dose: 100 mg orally once a day for 13 days
Oropharyngeal candidiasis refractory to itraconazole and/or fluconazole: 400 mg orally twice a day
Duration of therapy should be based on the severity of the patient's underlying disease and clinical response.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Aspergillosis -- Invasive:
13 years or older:
Prophylaxis: 200 mg orally three times a day
Duration of therapy should be based on recovery from immunosuppression or neutropenia.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Candidemia:
13 years or older:
Prophylaxis: 200 mg orally three times a day
Duration of therapy should be based on recovery from immunosuppression or neutropenia.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Oral Thrush:
13 years or older:
Oropharyngeal candidiasis:
Initial dose: 100 mg orally twice a day on the first day
Maintenance dose: 100 mg orally once a day for 13 days
Oropharyngeal candidiasis refractory to itraconazole and/or fluconazole: 400 mg orally twice a day
Duration of therapy should be based on the severity of the patient's underlying disease and clinical response.
What other drugs will affect posaconazole?
Many drugs can interact with posaconazole. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:
arsenic trioxide (Trisenox);
cimetidine (Tagamet);
cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf);
digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);
droperidol (Inapsine);
esomeprazole (Nexium);
midazolam (Versed);
phenytoin (Dilantin);
an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam), or rifabutin (Mycobutin);
an antidepressant;
anti-malaria medications;
heart or blood pressure medication such as diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Nifedical, Procardia), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others;
cancer medicines such as vinblastine (Velban) o vincristine (Oncovin, Vincasar), vindesine (Eldisine), or vinorelbine (Navelbine);
cholesterol-lowering medicines such as atorvastatin (Lipitor, Caduet), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev, Advicor), pravastatin (Pravachol), or rosuvastatin (Crestor);
heart rhythm medication;
HIV medication such as atazanavir (Reyataz), efavirenz (Sustiva), or ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra);
medicine to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting, such as metoclopramide (Reglan) or ondansetron (Zofran);
medicines to treat psychiatric disorders;
migraine headache medicine such as sumatriptan (Imitrex) or zolmitriptan (Zomig); or
narcotic medication.
This list is not complete and there are many other drugs that can interact with posaconazole. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.
More posaconazole resources
- Posaconazole Side Effects (in more detail)
- Posaconazole Dosage
- Posaconazole Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Posaconazole Drug Interactions
- Posaconazole Support Group
- 1 Review for Posaconazole - Add your own review/rating
- posaconazole Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Posaconazole Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
- Posaconazole Suspension MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Posaconazole Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Noxafil Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Noxafil Consumer Overview
Compare posaconazole with other medications
- Aspergillosis, Invasive
- Candida Infections, Systemic
- Oral Thrush
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about posaconazole.
See also: posaconazole side effects (in more detail)
No comments:
Post a Comment