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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking voriconazole (VFEND)?

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to voriconazole, or if you are taking any of the following drugs:

• carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol);
• cisapride (Propulsid);
• pimozide (Orap);
• quinidine (Quin-G);
• sirolimus (Rapamune);
• mephobarbital (Mebaral) or phenobarbital (Solfoton);
• ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra) in high doses;
• rifabutin (Mycobutin) or rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater);
• St. John's wort; or
• an ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine, others) or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E., Migranal).

The drugs listed above can cause dangerous serious or life-threatening drug interactions with voriconazole. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you are using.

To make sure you can safely take voriconazole, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• heart rhythm problems;
• a metabolic disorder such as high or low levels of calcium, potassium, or magnesium;
• liver disease;
• kidney disease; or
• a history of allergy to other antifungal medications such as fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or itraconazole (Sporanox).

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use voriconazole if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Voriconazole tablets contain lactose. Before taking a voriconazole tablet, tell your doctor if you have a hereditary form of galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption.

It is not known if voriconazole 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.

How should I take voriconazole (VFEND)?

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.

Take voriconazole at least one hour before or after eating a meal.

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.

Do not mix the oral suspension with any other medicine or liquid.

Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Voriconazole will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

To be sure voriconazole is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

Voriconazole can cause problems with your vision. If you use this medicine for more than 28 days, you may need to have your eyes checked.

Store voriconazole tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Store the oral liquid at room temperature for up to 14 days. Throw away any unused liquid after 14 days.

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