Voriconazole
Also sold as: Vfend
Related Medications
These drugs share a pharmacologic classification but are NOT interchangeable. Listing here does not imply clinical equivalence. A physician must evaluate each drug individually for the patient's specific condition.
Classification: Azoles (source: RxClass/NLM)
- luliconazoleAzole AntifungalSame Class
- efinaconazoleAzole AntifungalSame Class
- isavuconazoleAzole AntifungalSame Class
- butoconazoleAzole AntifungalSame Class
- oteseconazoleAzole AntifungalSame Class
- clotrimazoleAzole AntifungalSame Class
- itraconazoleAzole AntifungalSame Class
- posaconazoleAzole AntifungalSame Class
- oxiconazoleAzole AntifungalSame Class
- sertaconazoleAzole AntifungalSame Class
- sulconazoleAzole AntifungalSame Class
- econazoleAzole AntifungalSame Class
- terconazoleAzole AntifungalSame Class
- tioconazoleAzole AntifungalSame Class
- fluconazoleAzole AntifungalSame Class
Insurance Coverage User-Reported
No community coverage data yet for voriconazole.
Coverage data submission coming soon.
Drug Information
Mechanism of Action
12.1 Mechanism of Action Voriconazole is an antifungal drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ].
Indications & Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE VFEND is an azole antifungal indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older with: • Invasive aspergillosis ( 1.1 ) • Candidemia in non-neutropenics and other deep tissue Candida infections ( 1.2 ) • Esophageal candidiasis ( 1.3 ) • Serious fungal infections caused by Scedosporium apiospermum and Fusarium species including Fusarium solani , in patients intolerant of, or refractory to, other therapy ( 1.4 ) 1.1 Invasive Aspergillosis VFEND is indicated in adults and pediatric patients (2 years of age and older) for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis (IA). In clinical trials, the majority of isolates recovered were Aspergillus fumigatus . There was a small number of cases of culture-proven disease due to species of Aspergillus other than A. fumigatus [see Clinical Studies (14.1 , 14.5) and Microbiology (12.4) ] . 1.2 Candidemia in Non-neutropenic Patients and Other Deep Tissue Candida Infections VFEND is indicated in adults and pediatric patients (2 years of age and older) for the treatment of candidemia in non-neutropenic patients and the following Candida infections: disseminated infections in skin and infections in abdomen, kidney, bladder wall, and wounds [see Clinical Studies (14.2 , 14.5) and Microbiology (12.4) ] . 1.3 Esophageal Candidiasis VFEND is indicated in adults and pediatric patients (2 years of age and older) for the treatment of esophageal candidiasis (EC) [see Clinical Studies (14.3 , 14.5) and Microbiology (12.4) ] . 1.4 Scedosporiosis and Fusariosis VFEND is indicated for the treatment of serious fungal infections caused by Scedosporium apiospermum (asexual form of Pseudallescheria boydii ) and Fusarium spp. including Fusarium solani , in adults and pediatric patients (2 years of age and older) intolerant of, or refractory to, other therapy [see Clinical Studies (14.4) and Microbiology (12.4) ] . 1.5 Usage Specimens for fungal culture and other relevant laboratory studies (includin
Dosage & Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • Dosage in Adults ( 2.3 ) Infection Loading Dose Maintenance Dose Intravenous infusion Intravenous infusion Oral tablets Oral suspension Invasive Aspergillosis 6 mg/kg every 12 hours for the first 24 hours 4 mg/kg every 12 hours 200 mg every 12 hours 5 mL every 12 hours Candidemia in nonneutropenics and other deep tissue Candida infections 3–4 mg/kg every 12 hours 200 mg every 12 hours 5 mL every 12 hours Scedosporiosis and Fusariosis 4 mg/kg every 12 hours 200 mg every 12 hours 5 mL every 12 hours Esophageal Candidiasis Not Evaluated Not Evaluated 200 mg every 12 hours 5 mL every 12 hours o Adult patients weighing less than 40 kg: oral maintenance dose 100 mg or 150 mg every 12 hours o Hepatic Impairment : Use half the maintenance dose in adult patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class A and B) ( 2.5 ) o Renal Impairment : Avoid intravenous administration in adult patients with moderate to severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <50 mL/min) ( 2.6 ) • Dosage in Pediatric Patients 2 years of age and older ( 2.4 ) o For pediatric patients 2 to less than 12 years of age and 12 to 14 years of age weighing less than 50 kg see Table below. Infection Loading Dose Maintenance Dose Intravenous infusion Intravenous infusion Oral tablets Oral suspension Invasive Aspergillosis 9 mg/kg every12 hours for the first 24 hours 8 mg/kg every 12 hours after the first 24 hours 9 mg/kg every 12 hours (maximum dose of 350 mg every 12 hours) 0.225 mL/kg every 12 hours [maximum dose of 8.75 mL (350 mg) every 12 hours] Candidemia in nonneutropenics and other deep tissue Candida infections Scedosporiosis and Fusariosis Esophageal Candidiasis Not Evaluated 4 mg/kg every 12 hours 9 mg/kg every 12 hours (maximum dose of 350 mg every 12 hours) 0.225 mL/kg every 12 hours [maximum dose of 8.75 mL (350 mg) every 12 hours] o For pediatric patients aged 12 to 14 years weighing greater than or equal to 50 kg and those aged 15 years and older regardless of body weight use adult dosage. ( 2.4 ) o Dosage adjustment of VFEND in pediatric patients with renal or hepatic impairment has not been established ( 2.5 , 2.6 ) • See full prescribing information for instructions on reconstitution of VFEND lyophilized powder for intravenous use and important administration instructions ( 2.1 , 2.6 , 2.7 ) 2.1 Important Administration Instructions for Use in All Patients VFEND I.V. for Injection requires reconstitution to 10 mg/mL and subsequent dilution to 5 mg/mL or less prior to administration as an infusion, at a maximum rate of 3 mg/kg per hour over 1 to 3 hours. Administer diluted VFEND I.V. by intravenous infusion over 1 to 3 hours only. Do not administer as an IV bolus injection. 2.2 Use of VFEND I.V. with Other Parenteral Drug Products Blood products and concentrated electrolytes VFEND I.V. must not be infused concomitantly with any blood product or short-term infusion of concentrated electrolytes, even if the two infusions are running in separate intravenous lines (or cannulas). Electrolyte disturbances such as hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia and hypocalcemia should be corrected prior to initiation of and during VFEND therapy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] . Intravenous solutions containing (non-concentrated) electrolytes VFEND I.V. can be infused at the same time as other intravenous solutions containing (non-concentrated) electrolytes, but must be infused through a separate line. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) VFEND I.V. can be infused at the same time as total parenteral nutrition, but must be infused in a separate line. If infused through a multiple-lumen catheter, TPN needs to be administered using a different port from the one used for VFEND I.V. 2.3 Recommended Dosing Regimen in Adults Invasive aspergillosis and serious fungal infections due to Fusarium spp. and Scedosporium apiospermum See Table 1. Therapy must be initiated with the specified loading dose regimen of intravenous VFEND on Day 1 followed by the recommended maintenance dose (RMD) regimen. Intravenous treatment should be continued for at least 7 days. Once the patient has clinically improved and can tolerate medication given by mouth, the oral tablet form or oral suspension form of VFEND may be utilized. The recommended oral maintenance dose of 200 mg achieves a voriconazole exposure similar to 3 mg/kg intravenously; a 300 mg oral dose achieves an exposure similar to 4 mg/kg intravenously [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Candidemia in non-neutropenic patients and other deep tissue Candida infections See Table 1. Patients should be treated for at least 14 days following resolution of symptoms or following last positive culture, whichever is longer. Esophageal Candidiasis See Table 1. Patients should be treated for a minimum of 14 days and for at least 7 days following resolution of symptoms. Table 1: Recommended Dosing Regimen (Adults) Infection Loading Dose Maintenance Dose Increase dose when VFEND is co-admin
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Hepatic Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Arrhythmias and QT Prolongation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Infusion Related Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Visual Disturbances [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Photosensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Renal Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] • Adult Patients : The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥2%) were visual disturbances, fever, nausea, rash, vomiting, chills, headache, liver function test abnormal, tachycardia, hallucinations ( 6 ) • Pediatric Patients : The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥5%) were visual disturbances, pyrexia, vomiting, epistaxis, nausea, rash, abdominal pain, diarrhea, hypertension, hypokalemia, cough, headache, thrombocytopenia, ALT abnormal, hypotension, peripheral edema, hyperglycemia, tachycardia, dyspnea, hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, LFT abnormal, mucosal inflammation, photophobia, abdominal distention, constipation, dizziness, hallucinations, hemoptysis, hypoalbuminemia, hypomagnesemia, renal impairment, upper respiratory tract infection ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Pfizer Inc. at 1-800-438-1985 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Clinical Trials Experience in Adults Overview The most frequently reported adverse reactions (see Table 4 ) in the adult therapeutic trials were visual disturbances (18.7%), fever (5.7%), nausea (5.4%), rash (5.3%), vomiting (4.4%), chills (3.7%), headache (3.0%), liver function test increased (2.7%), tachycardia (2.4%), hallucinations (2.4%). The adverse reactions which most often led to discontinuation of voriconazole therapy were elevated liver function tests, rash, and visual disturbances [see Warning and Precautions (5.1 , 5.4) and Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . The data described in Table 4 reflect exposure to voriconazole in 1655 patients in nine therapeutic studies. This represents a heterogeneous population, including immunocompromised patients, e.g., patients with hematological malignancy or HIV and non-neutropenic patients. This subgroup does not include healthy subjects and patients treated in the compassionate use and non-therapeutic studies. This patient population was 62% male, had a mean age of 46 years (range 11–90, including 51 patients aged 12–18 years), and was 78% White and 10% Black. Five hundred sixty one patients had a duration of voriconazole therapy of greater than 12 weeks, with 136 patients receiving voriconazole for over six months. Table 4 includes all adverse reactions which were reported at an incidence of ≥2% during voriconazole therapy in the all therapeutic studies population, studies 307/602 and 608 combined, or study 305, as well as events of concern which occurred at an incidence of <2%. In study 307/602, 381 patients (196 on voriconazole, 185 on amphotericin B) were treated to compare voriconazole to amphotericin B followed by other licensed antifungal therapy (OLAT) in the primary treatment of patients with acute IA. The rate of discontinuation from voriconazole study medication due to adverse reactions was 21.4% (42/196 patients). In study 608, 403 patients with candidemia were treated to compare voriconazole (272 patients) to the regimen of amphotericin B followed by fluconazole (131 patients). The rate of discontinuation from voriconazole study medication due to adverse reactions was 19.5% out of 272 patients. Study 305 evaluated the effects of oral voriconazole (200 patients) and oral fluconazole (191 patients) in the treatment of EC. The rate of discontinuation from voriconazole study medication in Study 305 due to adverse reactions was 7% (14/200 patients). Laboratory test abnormalities for these studies are discussed under Clinical Laboratory Values below. Table 4: Adverse Reactions Rate ≥ 2% on Voriconazole or Adverse Reactions of Concern in Therapeutic Studies Population, Studies 307/602–608 Combined, or Study 305. Possibly Related to Therapy or Causality Unknown Study 307/602: IA; Study 608: candidemia; Study 305: EC Therapeutic Studies Studies 303, 304, 305, 307, 309, 602, 603, 604, 608 Studies 307/602 and 608 (IV/ oral therapy) Study 305 (oral therapy) Voriconazole N=1655 Voriconazole N=468 Ampho B Amphotericin B followed by other licensed antifungal therapy N=185 Ampho B→ Fluconazole N=131 Voriconazole N=200 Fluconazole N=191 N (%) N (%) N (%) N (%) N (%) N (%) Special Senses See Warnings and Precautions (5.4) Abnormal vision 310 (18.7) 63 (13.5) 1 (0.5) 0 31 (15.5) 8 (4.2)
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Voriconazole is metabolized by cytochrome P450 isoenzymes, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4. Therefore, inhibitors or inducers of these isoenzymes may increase or decrease voriconazole plasma concentrations, respectively. Voriconazole is a strong inhibitor of CYP3A4, and also inhibits CYP2C19 and CYP2C9. Therefore, voriconazole may increase the plasma concentrations of substances metabolized by these CYP450 isoenzymes. Tables 10 and 11 provide the clinically significant interactions between voriconazole and other medical products. Table 10: Effect of Other Drugs on Voriconazole Pharmacokinetics [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] Drug/Drug Class (Mechanism of Interaction by the Drug) Voriconazole Plasma Exposure (C max and AUC τ after 200 mg every 12 hours) Recommendations for Voriconazole Dosage Adjustment/Comments Rifampin Results based on in vivo clinical studies generally following repeat oral dosing with 200 mg every 12 hours voriconazole to healthy subjects and Rifabutin (CYP450 Induction) Significantly Reduced Contraindicated Efavirenz (400 mg every 24 hours) Results based on in vivo clinical study following repeat oral dosing with 400 mg every 12 hours for 1 day, then 200 mg every 12 hours for at least 2 days voriconazole to healthy subjects (CYP450 Induction) Significantly Reduced Contraindicated Efavirenz (300 mg every 24 hours) (CYP450 Induction) Slight Decrease in AUC τ When voriconazole is coadministered with efavirenz, voriconazole oral maintenance dose should be increased to 400 mg every 12 hours and efavirenz should be decreased to 300 mg every 24 hours. High-dose Ritonavir (400 mg every 12 hours) (CYP450 Induction) Significantly Reduced Contraindicated Low-dose Ritonavir (100 mg every 12 hours) (CYP450 Induction) Reduced Coadministration of voriconazole and low-dose ritonavir (100 mg every 12 hours) should be avoided, unless an assessment of the benefit/risk to the patient justifies the use of voriconazole. Carbamazepine (CYP450 Induction) Not Studied In Vivo or In Vitro , but Likely to Result in Significant Reduction Contraindicated Long Acting Barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital, mephobarbital) (CYP450 Induction) Not Studied In Vivo or In Vitro , but Likely to Result in Significant Reduction Contraindicated Phenytoin (CYP450 Induction) Significantly Reduced Increase voriconazole maintenance dose from 4 mg/kg to 5 mg/kg IV every 12 hours or from 200 mg to 400 mg orally every 12 hours (100 mg to 200 mg orally every 12 hours in patients weighing less than 40 kg). Letermovir (CYP2C9/2C19 Induction) Reduced If concomitant administration of voriconazole with letermovir cannot be avoided, monitor for reduced effectiveness of voriconazole St. John's Wort (CYP450 inducer; P-gp inducer) Significantly Reduced Contraindicated Oral Contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone (CYP2C19 Inhibition) Increased Monitoring for adverse reactions and toxicity related to voriconazole is recommended when coadministered with oral contraceptives. Fluconazole (CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 Inhibition) Significantly Increased Avoid concomitant administration of voriconazole and fluconazole. Monitoring for adverse reactions and toxicity related to voriconazole is started within 24 hours after the last dose of fluconazole. Other HIV Protease Inhibitors (CYP3A4 Inhibition) In Vivo Studies Showed No Significant Effects of Indinavir on Voriconazole Exposure In Vitro Studies Demonstrated Potential for Inhibition of Voriconazole Metabolism (Increased Plasma Exposure) No dosage adjustment in the voriconazole dosage needed when coadministered with indinavir. Frequent monitoring for adverse reactions and toxicity related to voriconazole when coadministered with other HIV protease inhibitors. Other NNRTIs Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (CYP3A4 Inhibition or CYP450 Induction) In Vitro Studies Demonstrated Potential for Inhibition of Voriconazole Metabolism by Delavirdine and Other NNRTIs (Increased Plasma Exposure) Frequent monitoring for adverse reactions and toxicity related to voriconazole. A Voriconazole-Efavirenz Drug Interaction Study Demonstrated the Potential for the Metabolism of Voriconazole to be Induced by Efavirenz and Other NNRTIs (Decreased Plasma Exposure) Careful assessment of voriconazole effectiveness. Table 11: Effect of Voriconazole on Pharmacokinetics of Other Drugs [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] Drug/Drug Class (Mechanism of Interaction by Voriconazole) Drug Plasma Exposure (C max and AUC τ ) Recommendations for Drug Dosage Adjustment/Comments Sirolimus Results based on in vivo clinical studies generally following repeat oral dosing with 200 mg BID voriconazole to healthy subjects (CYP3A4 Inhibition) Significantly Increased Contraindicated Rifabutin (CYP3A4 Inhibition) Significantly Increased Contraindicated Efavirenz (400 mg every 24 hours) Results based on in vivo clinical study following repeat oral dosing with 400 mg every 12 hours for 1 day, then 200 mg
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS • VFEND is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to voriconazole or its excipients. There is no information regarding cross-sensitivity between VFEND (voriconazole) and other azole antifungal agents. Caution should be used when prescribing VFEND to patients with hypersensitivity to other azoles. • Coadministration of pimozide, quinidine or ivabradine with VFEND is contraindicated because increased plasma concentrations of these drugs can lead to QT prolongation and rare occurrences of torsade de pointes [see Drug Interactions (7) ] . • Coadministration of VFEND with sirolimus is contraindicated because VFEND significantly increases sirolimus concentrations [see Drug Interactions (7) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . • Coadministration of VFEND with rifampin, carbamazepine, long-acting barbiturates or St. John's Wort is contraindicated because these drugs are likely to decrease plasma voriconazole concentrations significantly [see Drug Interactions (7) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . • Coadministration of standard doses of voriconazole with efavirenz doses of 400 mg every 24 hours or higher is contraindicated, because efavirenz significantly decreases plasma voriconazole concentrations in healthy subjects at these doses. Voriconazole also significantly increases efavirenz plasma concentrations [see Drug Interactions (7) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . • Coadministration of VFEND with high-dose ritonavir (400 mg every 12 hours) is contraindicated because ritonavir (400 mg every 12 hours) significantly decreases plasma voriconazole concentrations. Coadministration of voriconazole and low-dose ritonavir (100 mg every 12 hours) should be avoided, unless an assessment of the benefit/risk to the patient justifies the use of voriconazole [see Drug Interactions (7) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . • Coadministration of VFEND with rifabutin is contraindicated since VFEND significantly increases rifabutin plasma concentrations and rifabutin also significantly decreases voriconazole plasma concentrations [see Drug Interactions (7) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . • Coadministration of VFEND with ergot alkaloids (ergotamine and dihydroergotamine) is contraindicated because VFEND may increase the plasma concentration of ergot alkaloids, which may lead to ergotism [see Drug Interactions (7) ] . • Coadministration of VFEND with naloxegol is contraindicated because VFEND may increase plasma concentrations of naloxegol which may precipitate opioid withdrawal symptoms [see Drug Interactions (7) ] . • Coadministration of VFEND with tolvaptan is contraindicated because VFEND may increase tolvaptan plasma concentrations and increase risk of adverse reactions [see Drug Interactions (7) ] . • Coadministration of VFEND with venetoclax at initiation and during the ramp-up phase is contraindicated in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) due to the potential for increased risk of tumor lysis syndrome [see Drug Interactions (7) ] . • Coadministration of VFEND with lurasidone is contraindicated since it may result in significant increases in lurasidone exposure and the potential for serious adverse reactions [see Drug Interactions (7) ]. • Coadministration of VFEND with finerenone is contraindicated since it may result in significant increases in finerenone exposure and the potential for serious adverse reactions [see Drug Interactions (7) ] . • Hypersensitivity to voriconazole or its excipients ( 4 ) • Coadministration with pimozide, quinidine, sirolimus or ivabradine due to risk of serious adverse reactions ( 4 , 7 ) • Coadministration with rifampin, carbamazepine, long-acting barbiturates, efavirenz, ritonavir, rifabutin, ergot alkaloids or St. John's Wort due to risk of loss of efficacy ( 4 , 7 ) • Coadministration with naloxegol, tolvaptan, lurasidone or finerenone due to risk of adverse reactions ( 4 , 7 ) • Coadministration of VFEND with venetoclax at initiation and during the ramp-up phase in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) due to increased risk of adverse reactions ( 4 , 7 )
Verify with Primary Sources
Always verify clinical information with authoritative sources.
Medical Disclaimer: Information on this page is sourced from FDA-approved labeling data and is for educational reference only. It does not constitute medical advice. This information does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Always verify with current prescribing information and consult a licensed healthcare professional before any clinical decision. Read full disclaimer.
Data sourced from RxNorm (NLM/NIH), FDA Orange Book, OpenFDA, DailyMed. Last updated: 2026-03-02.