This medication is used to treat certain serious fungal
infections. This medication is known as an azole antifungal. It works by
stopping the growth of fungi.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from
your pharmacist before you start taking this medication and each time you
get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as
directed by your doctor, usually every 8 hours for the first 6 doses (48
hours). Then 12 to 24 hours after the first 6 doses, take this medication
once daily. Children's dosage is based on weight.
The manufacturer directs not to chew, crush, dissolve,
or open the capsule before taking it. However, many similar drugs
(immediate-release capsules) can be chewed, crushed, dissolved, or opened.
Follow your doctor's directions on how to take this
medication.
This medication works best when the amount of medicine
in your body is kept at a constant level. Take this drug at evenly spaced
intervals.
Continue to take this medication until the full
prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days.
Stopping the medication too early may result in a return of the
infection.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better
or if it gets worse.
Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache,
constipation, cough, and trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these
effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist
promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- muscle cramps/spasms
- weakness
- irregular heartbeat
- swelling hands/ankles/feet
- back pain
- mental/mood changes (such as confusion, anxiety)
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious
side effects, including:
- fast/irregular/pounding heartbeat
- chest pain
- fainting
- signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of
urine)
- seizures
Isavuconazonium may rarely cause serious (possibly
fatal) liver disease. Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms
of liver damage, including:
- nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop
- loss of appetite
- stomach/abdominal pain
- yellowing eyes/skin
- dark urine
Isavuconazonium can commonly cause a rash that is
usually not serious. However, you may not be able to tell it apart from a
rare rash that could be a sign of a severe reaction. Tell your doctor right
away if you develop any rash.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking isavuconazonium, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic
reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more
details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- liver disease
- family history of certain heart problems (short QT syndrome,
abnormal heart rate/rhythm)
This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana
(cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do
anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic
beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana
(cannabis).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using isavuconazonium.
Isavuconazonium may harm an unborn baby. Ask about reliable forms of birth
control while using this medication and for 28 days after the last dose. If
you become pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and
benefits of this medication.
It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk.
Breastfeeding is not recommended while using this drug. Consult your doctor
before breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
This medication can slow down the removal of other
medications from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of
affected drugs include asunaprevir, bosutinib, dofetilide, elacestrant,
flibanserin, lomitapide, tolvaptan, among others.
Other medications can affect the removal of
isavuconazonium from your body, which may affect how isavuconazonium works.
Examples include adagrasib, certain azole antifungals (such as
itraconazole, ketoconazole), certain HIV protease inhibitors (such as
nelfinavir), nefazodone, certain rifamycins (such as rifabutin, rifampin),
ritonavir, certain drugs used to treat seizures (such as carbamazepine,
phenobarbital), St. John's wort, among others.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669.
Do not share this medication with others.
This medication has been prescribed for your current
condition only. Do not use it later for another infection unless your
doctor tells you to.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as liver function) should
be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab
appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store in the original container at room temperature away
from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications
away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.