Always take VFEND exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Your doctor will determine your dose depending on your weight and the type of infection you have.
The usual dose for adults (including elderly patients) is as follows:
Oral suspension Patients 40 kg and above Patients less than 40 kg Dose for the first 24 hours Loading Dose 400 mg 10 ml every 12 hours for the first 24 hours 200 mg 5 ml every 12 hours for the first 24 hours Dose after the first 24 hours Maintenance Dose 200 mg 5 ml twice a day 100 mg 2.5 ml twice a day
Depending on your response to treatment, your doctor may increase the daily dose to 300 mg twice a day.
The doctor may decide to decrease the dose if you have mild to moderate cirrhosis.
- The usual dose for children aged 2 to less than 12 years is 200 mg twice daily.
- VFEND should not be given to children younger than 2 years of age.
- Teenagers (aged 12 to 16 years) should be dosed as for adults.
Take your suspension at least one hour before, or two hours after a meal.
Continue taking VFEND until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not stop treatment early because your infection may not be cured. Patients with a weakened immune system or those with difficult infections may require long-term treatment to prevent the infection from returning.
VFEND suspension should not be mixed with any other medication. The suspension should not be further diluted with water or any other liquids.
If you take more VFEND than you should:
If you take more suspension than prescribed (or if someone else takes your suspension) you must seek medical advice or go to the nearest hospital casualty department immediately. Take your bottle of VFEND suspension with you.
If you forget to take VFEND:
It is important to take your VFEND suspension regularly at the same time each day. If you forget to take one dose, take your next dose when it is due. Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten dose.
If you stop taking VFEND:
It has been shown that taking all doses at the appropriate times may greatly increase the effectiveness of your medicine. Therefore unless your doctor instructs you to stop treatment, it is important to keep taking VFEND correctly, as described above.
When VFEND treatment is stopped by your doctor you should not experience any effects. However if you were taking medicines containing cyclosporin or tacrolimus you must mention this to your doctor, as the dose will need to be adjusted.
Instructions to constitute the suspension:
It is recommended that your pharmacist constitutes VFEND suspension before giving it to you. VFEND suspension is constituted if it is in a liquid form. If it appears to be a dry powder you should constitute the oral suspension by following the instructions below.
1. Tap the bottle to release the powder.
2. Remove the cap.
3. Measure 23 ml of water by filling the measuring cup (included in the carton) to the top of the marked line then pour the water into the bottle. Using the cup measure another 23 ml of water and add this to the bottle.You should always add a total of 46 ml (2 x 23 ml) of water irrespective of the dose you are taking.
4. Replace the cap and shake the bottle vigorously for about 1 minute.
5. Remove the cap. Press the bottle adaptor into the neck of the bottle (as shown on figure below). The adaptor is provided so that you can fill the oral syringe with medicine from the bottle. Replace the cap on the bottle.
6. Write the date of expiry of the constituted suspension on the bottle label (the shelf-life of the constituted suspension is 14 days). Any unused suspension should be discarded after this date.
Instructions for use:
Your pharmacist should advise you how to measure the medicine using the multi-dosing oral syringe provided in the pack. Please see instructions below before using VFEND suspension.
1. Shake the closed bottle of constituted suspension for approximately 10 seconds before use. Remove the cap.
2. While the bottle is upright, on a flat surface, insert the tip of the oral syringe into the adaptor.
3. Turn the bottle upside down while holding the oral syringe in place. Slowly pull back the plunger of the oral syringe to the graduation mark that marks the dose for you. To measure the dose accurately, the top edge of the black ring should be lined up with the graduated mark on the oral syringe.
4. If large bubbles can be seen, slowly push the plunger back into the syringe. This will force the medicine back into the bottle. Repeat step 3 again.
5. Turn the bottle back upright with the oral syringe still in place. Remove the oral syringe from the bottle.
6. Put the tip of the oral syringe into the mouth. Point the tip of the oral syringe towards the inside of the cheek. SLOWLY push down the plunger of the oral syringe. Do not squirt the medicine out quickly. If the medicine is to be given to a child, make sure the child is sitting, or is held, upright before giving the medicine.
7. Replace the cap on the bottle, leaving the bottle adaptor in place. Wash the oral syringe as instructed below.
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Cleaning and storing the syringe:
1. The syringe should be washed after each dose. Pull the plunger out of the syringe and wash both parts in warm soapy water. Then rinse with water.
2. Dry the two parts. Push the plunger back in to the syringe. Keep it in a clean safe place with the medicine.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
