posaconazole

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Pronunciation: poe sa KONE a zole

Brand: Noxafil

What is the most important information I should know about posaconazole?

You should not take posaconazole together with: atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, pimozide, quinidine, sirolimus, or an ergot medicine (dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, or methylergonovine).

The liquid and tablet forms of posaconazole are not equivalent and may not have the same dose or schedule.

What is posaconazole?

Posaconazole is an antifungal medicine that fights certain infections caused by fungus.

Posaconazole is used to prevent fungal infections in people who have a weak immune system resulting from certain treatments or conditions (such as chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, HIV infection, and others).

Posaconazole is also used to treat oral thrush (yeast infection of the mouth).

Posaconazole may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using posaconazole?

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to posaconazole or similar antifungals such as clotrimazole (Mycelex Troche), fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Oravig, Monistat), voriconazole (Vfend), and others.

Many drugs can interact with posaconazole and some should not be used at the same time, especially:

  • pimozide;
  • quinidine;
  • sirolimus;
  • cholesterol lowering medicines --atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), or simvastatin (Zocor, Vytorin); or
  • ergot medicine --dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, or methylergonovine.

To make sure posaconazole is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • a heart rhythm disorder;
  • a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome;
  • liver or kidney disease; or
  • if you take medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection (cyclosporine, tacrolimus).

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. You should not breast-feed while you are using posaconazole.

Posaconazole is not approved for use by anyone younger than 13 years old.

How should I take posaconazole?

The liquid and tablet forms of posaconazole are not equivalent and may not have the same dose or schedule. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about the kind of posaconazole you receive at the pharmacy.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Do not crush, chew, dissolve, or break a delayed-release tablet. Swallow it whole.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. Measure the liquid with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

The posaconazole delayed-release tablet works best if you take it with food. Take the oral suspension within 20 minutes after a full meal. If you cannot eat a full meal, take the oral suspension with a nutritional supplement (such as BOOST) or with an acidic carbonated drink such as ginger ale.

Use this medicine 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 antifungal medicine. Posaconazole will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea. Posaconazole may not work as well while during this time.

While using posaconazole, you may need frequent blood tests.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if your next dose is less than 12 hours away. 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.

What are the possible side effects of posaconazole?

Get emergency medical help if you have 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 headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats;
  • pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;
  • signs of an infection --fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, vomiting, mouth sores;
  • liver problems --nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
  • low potassium --confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Common side effects may include:

  • diarrhea, nausea, vomiting;
  • mild headache;
  • fever; or
  • cough.

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.

What other drugs will affect posaconazole?

Many drugs can interact with posaconazole. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

  • cimetidine, esomeprazole;
  • citalopram;
  • midazolam;
  • nimodipine;
  • phenytoin;
  • rifabutin;
  • anti-malaria medication --artemether, lumefantrine;
  • cancer medicine --arsenic trioxide, bosutinib, nilotinib, toremifene, vandetanib, vemurafenib, vinblastine, vincristine, vinorelbine;
  • heart rhythm medicine --amiodarone, dofetilide, dronedarone, procainamide, sotalol;
  • HIV or AIDS medication --atazanavir, efavirenz, fosamprenavir, ritonavir; or
  • medicine to treat a psychiatric disorder --iloperidone, thioridazine, ziprasidone, others.

This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with posaconazole. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about posaconazole.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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