Posaconazole: uses, dosage, side effects & precautionary measures

Posaconazole and its uses:

Posaconazole falls under a group of medicines named antifungals. It is prescribed for preventing and treating several different types of fungal infections.

The drug posaconazole 100 mg can be prescribed in adult patients in order to treat certain types of fungal infections when other antifungal drugs were not effective or you have had to stop treatment with them:

  • Infections caused by the fungi of the Aspergillus family, in case of failed treatment with amphotericin B or itraconazole. 
  • Infections caused by the fungi of the Fusarium family, when treatment with amphotericin B was not effective. 
  • Infections caused by the fungi that cause chromoblastomycosis and mycetoma, in case of failed treatment with itraconazole. 
  • Infections caused by the fungus named Coccidioides, in case of failed treatment with one or more of amphotericin B, itraconazole, or fluconazole. 

Posaconazole can also be prescribed in order to prevent fungal infections in adults who are at high-risk of getting a fungal infection, such as:

  • Patients with a weakened immune system due to having chemotherapy for AML or MDS. 
  • Patients with high-dose immunosuppressive therapy following HSCT (Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant).

How does Posaconazole work? 

Posaconazole works in order to kill or stop the growth of some types of fungi that are responsible for causing the infections. 

  • How will I take Posaconazole?

Avoid switching between taking posaconazole tablets and oral suspension without discussing with your doctor. Take posaconazole exactly as your doctor tells you to take it.

Tablets should be swallowed whole with food, without breaking, crushing, chewing. 

In case you're not able to swallow tablets whole, tell your doctor. You may require a different medication.

If you're using oral suspension, shake well prior to using. Take every dose of posaconazole oral suspension while or within 20 minutes following a full meal. In absence of the full meal, take every dose with a liquid nutritional supplement. 

  • Who should not take Posaconazole? 

The posaconazole uses are not recommended in case:

  • you are allergic to posaconazole, any of its ingredients, or other azole antifungal medications.
  • you are taking medicines i.e. sirolimus, pimozide, quinidine, atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, ergotamine, dihydroergotamine. 

Talk to your doctor if you are not sure if you are consuming any of these drugs. Avoid taking a new drug without discussing with your healthcare practitioner.

Possible Side Effects: The most commonly observed side effects of posaconazole may include: 

  • Diarrhea 
  • Nausea 
  • Fever 
  • Vomiting 
  • Headache 
  • Coughing 
  • Low potassium levels in the blood 

In case you're on posaconazole delayed release tablets or oral suspension, inform your healthcare practitioner immediately if you have diarrhea or vomiting. 

Report your doctor if you have any adverse reactions that bother you or that do not go away.

Warnings and Precautions: Discuss with your healthcare practitioner prior to start taking posaconazole 100 mg if: 

  • you have had an allergic reaction to antifungal drugs such as fluconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole or itraconazole. 
  • you have or have ever had liver problems. Blood tests should be done while on posaconazole.
  • you have an abnormal ECG that shows a problem named long QTc interval.
  • you have a weakness of the heart muscle or heart failure. 
  • you are with decreased heartbeat. 
  • you are with disturbed heart rhythms. 
  • you have any problem with potassium, magnesium or calcium levels in your blood
  • you are on vinblastine, vincristine, and other vinca alkaloids (medicines used in order to treat cancer).
  • you're children (aged 17 years and younger).
  • If you're a woman and breastfeeding or pregnant. 

What If a dose of Posaconazole has been forgotten? 

As this medicine is given under close medical supervision, it is unlikely that a dose would be missed. Apart from this, inform your healthcare practitioner if you think that a dose has been missed/forgotten.

How should I store Posaconazole? 

Posaconazole injection should be refrigerated at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Store posaconazole tablets and oral suspension at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). Avoid freezing posaconazole oral suspension. Safely throw away outdated or no longer needed medicine.

How much does posaconazole cost?

In India, the posaconazole price is quite reasonable. Any certified (ISO & GDP) pharmaceutical wholesaler firm can offer this drug at the best price. 

NOTE: The piece of information provided in this article is just for informational purposes and is not served as a substitute for the medical treatment, consultation, diagnosis, of a qualified healthcare practitioner.

FAQ

What is the brand name of Posaconazole? 

Noxafil is the brand name of Posaconazole, which is a triazole antifungal medication.

When Posaconazole was approved? 

In the month of September 2006, in the US, Posaconazole was approved for medical use. 

When should I take Posaconazole?

This medication should be taken during or right following (within the 20 minutes) a full meal or liquid nutritional supplement. It may also be taken through an acidic beverage (eg, ginger ale).

How long can you take Posaconazole?

The maximum time period of the treatment with posaconazole was noted as 609 days (∼20 months).

What medications should avoid taking concurrently with posaconazole?

Avoid the use of posaconazole in case you are allergic to this drug or similar antifungals such as itraconazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole, or voriconazole. Certain medications can be responsible for causing unwanted/dangerous effects when used along with posaconazole.

Is posaconazole delayed-release tablets 300 mg responsible for causing diarrhea?

Yes, posaconazole delayed-release tablets 300 mg once daily can be responsible for causing diarrhea.

Can posaconazole cause fever?

The most commonly reported side effects with the therapy of posaconazole are headache, fever, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Buy Trodelvy sacituzumab govitecan-hziy in India

  Trodelvy Overview: Trodelvy is widely prescribed by Oncologists for the treatment of patients with HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer, Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (mTNBC), and Metastatic Urothelial Cancer (mUC). It is considered a promising treatment option for those who are not ideal candidates for some conventional therapies. Developed by Immunomedics, Trodelvy 180 mg and Trodelvy 200 mg are two available commercial strengths. Worldwide, Trodelvy is promoted and facilitated by Gilead Sciences. Trodelvy is first approved on 22 April 2020. It is given by intravenous (IV) infusion by a health specialist. The medication received its (European Medicines Agency) EMA approval in October 2021. Trodelvy 180 mg and 200 mg injections are yet to be approved in India. The cost of Trodelvy in India usually depends on international factors. Buy Trodelvy from a Reliable Source: Many suppliers who are not authorized to handle or supply life-saving medicines such as Trodelvy found to b
Read more

Trodelvy: All about the drug

Image
Indication and Usage The medicine Trodelvy is a Trop-2-directed antibody and topoisomerase inhibitor conjugate drug, which is used in the treatment of adults suffering from locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast (mTNBC) cancer, HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer, and locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC). It is used when it is not possible to remove cancer with surgery. Trodelvy  comes in the form of single-dose vials in 180 mg for intravenous infusion. Dosage Its dosage is based on body weight, and the recommended dosage is 10 mg/kg administered intravenously once weekly on the first day and eighth day of a repeating 21-day cycle. Administration First infusion: The drug is infused in the body for 3 hours, and during the infusion, the patient is observed for any adverse reaction caused by the infusion. After 30 minutes of infusion, observation should be done again to check for any post-infusion reaction. Subsequent Infusion: If the drug is tolerated in t
Read more

What is Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer? What are the stages of NSCLC?

Image
NSCLC, the most common form of lung cancer. It occurs when the healthy cells in the lung change and start growing in an abnormal way, forming a specific mass addressed as tumor, lesion, or nodule. A tumor may develop anywhere in the lung and could be cancerous or benign. A cancerous tumor mainly is malignant, means, it has potential in order to spread to the rest part of the body. A benign tumor is the tumor that can grow but can not spread.  Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) occurs in the epithelial cells. Doctors can also describe this form of Cancer (NSCLC) based on the type of the epithelial cell where the cancer usually starts.  Adenocarcinoma starts in cells that produce mucus.  Squamous carcinoma basically developed in the cells that line the airways.  Large cell carcinoma usually begins in the cells other than the two types which are described above.  It’s necessary for healthcare providers to distinguish between lung cancer that begins in the squamous cells from lung cancer
Read more