What is it and how is it used?
VFEND belongs to a group of medicines called triazole antifungal agents. These medicines are used to treat a wide variety of fungal infections. VFEND works by killing or stopping the growth of the fungi that cause infections.
What fungal infections are treated with VFEND?
VFEND is used to treat serious fungal infections caused by Aspergillus, Scedosporium, Fusarium, fluconazole-resistant Candida, and candidaemia in patients with normal white blood cell counts.
This product should only be taken under the supervision of a doctor. VFEND is mainly for use in seriously ill patients.
What do you have to consider before using it?
Do not take VFEND:
It is very important that you inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have taken any other medicines, even those that are obtained without a prescription. Some medicines affect the way VFEND works, or VFEND may affect the way they work.
A list of the medicines that may affect VFEND is shown in the section ‘Taking other medicines with VFEND’. However, the medicines in the following list must not be taken during your course of VFEND treatment:
Take special care with VFEND:
Taking other medicines with VFEND:
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including those that are obtained without a prescription.
Some medicines, when taken at the same time as VFEND, may affect the way VFEND works or VFEND may affect the way they work. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines, as VFEND must not be taken if you are already taking any of these medicines (See also Section 2 above ‘Do not take VFEND’):
Tell your doctor if you are taking the following medicine, as treatment with VFEND at the same time should be avoided if possible:
Tell your doctor if you are taking either of the following medicines, as treatment with VFEND at the same time should be avoided if possible, and a dose adjustment of voriconazole may be required:
Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines, as a dose adjustment or monitoring may be required to check that the medicines and/ or VFEND are still having the desired effect:
Before being treated with VFEND, tell your doctor if:
While being treated with VFEND:
Taking VFEND with food and drink:
VFEND suspension must be taken at least one hour before or two hours after a meal.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding:
VFEND must not be taken during pregnancy, unless indicated by your doctor. Effective contraception must be used in women of childbearing potential. Contact your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking VFEND.
VFEND must not be taken during breast-feeding. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine whilst breast-feeding.
Driving and using machines:
VFEND may cause blurring of vision or uncomfortable sensitivity to light. While affected, do not drive or operate any tools or machines. Contact your doctor if you experience this.
Important information about some of the ingredients of VFEND:
VFEND suspension contains 0.54g sucrose per ml of suspension. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking VFEND.
How is it used?
Always take VFEND exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Your doctor will determine your dose depending on your weight and the type of infection you have.
The usual dose for adults (including elderly patients) is as follows:
Cleaning and storing the syringe:
1. The syringe should be washed after each dose. Pull the plunger out of the syringe and wash both parts in warm soapy water. Then rinse with water.
2. Dry the two parts. Push the plunger back in to the syringe. Keep it in a clean safe place with the medicine.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What are possible side effects?
Like all medicines, VFEND can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. If any side effects occur, most are likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
Very common side effects (occurring in at least 1 in 10 patients) are:
Common side effects (occurring in at least 1 in 100 patients) are:
-Flu-like symptoms, sinusitis, chills, weakness
-Anaemia, low numbers of cells called platelets that help the blood to clot, low numbers of some types of white blood cells or of all types of blood cells, red or purple discoloration of the skin which may be caused by low platelet count, other blood cell changes
-Low blood sugar, low blood potassium
-Anxiety, depression, tingling, confusion, dizziness, agitation, trembling, hallucinations and other nervous symptoms
-Low blood pressure, inflammation of a vein (which may be associated with the formation of a blood clot)
-Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fluid accumulation in the lungs
-Jaundice, redness of the skin
-Swelling of the lips or face
-Allergic reactions (sometimes severe), including widespread blistering rash and skin peeling, severe skin reaction following exposure to light or sun
-Itchiness
-Hair loss
-Back pain
-Kidney failure, blood in the urine, changes in blood tests of kidney function
-Changes in blood tests of liver function
Uncommon side effects (occurring in at least 1 in 1,000 patients) are:
-Enlarged lymph glands (sometimes painful)
-Increase in a type of white blood cell which may be associated with allergic reaction, disorder of blood clotting system
-Heart rhythm problems including very fast heartbeat, very slow heartbeat, fainting -Depressed function of the adrenal gland
-Problem with coordination
-Swelling of the brain
-Double vision pain and inflammation of the eyes and eyelids, involuntary movement of the eye -Decreased sensitivity to touch
-Constipation, inflammation of upper small intestine, dyspepsia, pancreatitis, peritonitis -Gingivitis,
-Swelling and inflammation of the tongue
-Enlarged liver, hepatitis, liver failure, gallbladder disease, gallstones
-Joint pain
-Inflammation of the kidney, proteins in the urine
-Abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG)
-Blood chemistry changes
Rare side effects (occurring in at least 1 in 10,000 patients) are:
As VFEND has been known to affect the liver and the kidney, your doctor should monitor the function of your liver and kidney by doing blood tests. Please advise your doctor if you have any stomach pains or if your stools have a different consistency.
If any of these side effects persist or are troublesome, please tell your doctor.
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
How should it be stored?
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use VFEND after the expiry date which is stated on the label. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.
Powder for oral suspension: store at 2°C - 8°C (in a refrigerator) before constitution. For the constituted suspension:
Do not store above 30°C.
Do not refrigerate or freeze.
Store in the original container
Keep the container tightly closed.
Any remaining suspension should be discarded 14 days after constitution.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
