Vfend are used for:

Treating fungal infections.

Vfend are an azole antifungal. It works by blocking fungal cell wall growth, resulting in the death of the fungus.

Do NOT use Vfend if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Vfend
• you are taking a barbiturate (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, cisapride, an ergot alkaloid (eg, ergotamine), an H₁ antagonist (eg, astemizole, terfenadine), pimozide, quinidine, rifabutin, rifampin, sirolimus, or St. John’s wort
• you have galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption
• you are taking ritonavir
• you have untreated low blood calcium, magnesium, or potassium levels

Before using Vfend:

Some medical conditions may interact with Vfend. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you are allergic to other azole antifungals (eg, fluconazole, itraconazole)
• if you have a history of heart problems (eg, cardiomyopathy) or abnormal blood calcium, magnesium, or potassium levels
• if you have liver problems (eg, cirrhosis), kidney problems, pancreas problems, or a blood disease
• if you have ever been on chemotherapy or have had a stem cell transplant

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Vfend. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, rifampin, ritonavir, or St. John’s wort because they may decrease Vfend’s effectiveness
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), aripiprazole, benzodiazepines (eg, alprazolam), calcium channel blockers (eg, felodipine), cyclosporine, ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine), erlotinib, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, atorvastatin), macrolide immunosuppressants (eg, sirolimus, tacrolimus), methadone, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) (eg, nevirapine), sulfonylureas (eg, glipizide), or vinca alkaloids (eg, vincristine) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Vfend
• Cisapride, H₁ antagonists (eg, astemizole, terfenadine), methadone, pimozide, or quinidine because the risk of their side effects, such as irregular heartbeat, may be increased by Vfend
• Efavirenz, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), or rifabutin because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Vfend or they may decrease Vfend’s effectiveness
• HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), oral contraceptives (birth control pills), or proton pump inhibitors (eg, omeprazole) because the risk of side effects of both medicines may be increased
  

  How to use Vfend:

  Use Vfend as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

  • An extra patient leaflet is available with Vfend. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
  • Take Vfend by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or after eating.
  • To clear up your infection completely, take Vfend for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
  • If you miss a dose of Vfend, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Important safety information:

• Vfend may cause blurred vision or sensitivity to light. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Vfend with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Avoid driving at night while you are using Vfend.
• Vfend may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Vfend. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Vfend may make your eyes more sensitive to sunlight. It may help to wear sunglasses. Avoid strong, direct sunlight.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Vfend before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
• Women of childbearing age should use an effective form of contraception (eg, birth control pills) while taking Vfend.
• Lab tests, including eye exams, liver and kidney function, and pancreas function, may be performed while you use Vfend. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Vfend should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 12 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Vfend may cause harm to the fetus. Do not become pregnant while you are using it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Vfend while you are pregnant. It is not known if Vfend are found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Vfend, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Vfend:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Blurred vision; change in color perception; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; mental or mood changes; nausea; sensitivity to light; sensitivity to the sun; stomach pain; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry stools; chest pain; dark urine; decreased urination; depression; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever or chills; flushing; hallucinations; one-sided weakness; pain or numbness of an arm or leg; red, swollen, or blistered skin; seizures; severe stomach pain; shortness of breath; speech changes; sudden, severe headache, nausea, dizziness, or fainting; suicidal thoughts; swelling of the arms or legs; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual fatigue; unusual vaginal bleeding; yellowing of the eyes or skin.