Do not take Voriconazol Sandoz
If you are allergic to voriconazole or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
It is very important that you inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, even those that are obtained without a prescription, or herbal medicines.
The medicines in the following list must not be taken during your course of Voriconazol Sandoz treatment:
- Terfenadine (used for allergy)
- Astemizole (used for allergy)
- Cisapride (used for stomach problems)
- Pimozide (used for treating mental illness)
- Quinidine (used for irregular heart beat)
- Rifampicin (used for treating tuberculosis)
- Efavirenz (used for treating HIV) in doses of 400 mg and above once daily
- Carbamazepine (used to treat seizures)
- Phenobarbital (used for severe insomnia and seizures)
- Ergot alkaloids (e.g. ergotamine, dihydroergotamine; used for migraine)
- Sirolimus (used in transplant patients)
- Ritonavir (used for treating HIV) in doses of 400 mg and more twice daily
- St John’s Wort (herbal supplement)
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor before taking Voriconazol Sandoz if:
- you have had an allergic reaction to other azoles.
- you are suffering from, or have ever suffered from liver disease. If you have liver disease, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of Voriconazol Sandoz. Your doctor should also monitor your liver function while you are being treated with Voriconazol Sandoz by doing blood tests.
- you are known to have cardiomyopathy, irregular heart beat, slow heart rate or an abnormality of electrocardiogram (ECG) called ‘long QT syndrome’.
You should avoid sunlight and sun exposure while being treated. It is important to cover sun exposed areas of skin and use sunscreen, as an increased sensitivity of skin to the sun’s UV rays can occur.
While being treated with Voriconazol Sandoz:
- tell your doctor immediately if you develop a severe skin rash or blisters or bone pain.
- your doctor should monitor the function of your liver and kidney by doing blood tests.
Children and adolescents
Voriconazol Sandoz should not be given to children younger than 2 years of age.
Other medicines and Voriconazol Sandoz
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including those that are obtained without a prescription.
Some medicines, when taken at the same time as Voriconazol Sandoz, may affect the way Voriconazol Sandoz works or Voriconazol Sandoz may affect the way they work.
Tell your doctor if you are taking the following medicine, as treatment with Voriconazol Sandoz at the same time should be avoided if possible:
- Ritonavir (used for treating HIV) in doses of 100 mg twice daily
Tell your doctor if you are taking either of the following medicines, as treatment with Voriconazol Sandoz at the same time should be avoided if possible, and a dose adjustment of voriconazole may be required:
- Rifabutin (used for treating tuberculosis). If you are already being treated with rifabutin your blood counts and side effects to rifabutin will need to be monitored.
- Phenytoin (used to treat epilepsy). If you are already being treated with phenytoin your blood concentration of phenytoin will need to be monitored during your treatment with Voriconazol Sandoz and your dose may be adjusted.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines, as a dose adjustment or monitoring may be required to check that the medicines and/ or Voriconazol Sandoz are still having the desired effect:
- Warfarin and other anticoagulants (e.g. phenprocoumon, acenocoumarol; used to slow down clotting of the blood)
- Ciclosporin (used in transplant patients)
- Tacrolimus (used in transplant patients)
- Sulphonylureas (e.g. tolbutamide, glipizide, and glyburide) (used for diabetes)
- Statins (e.g. atorvastatin, simvastatin) (used for lowering cholesterol)
- Benzodiazepines (e.g. midazolam, triazolam) (used for severe insomnia and stress)
- Omeprazole (used for treating ulcers)
- Oral contraceptives (if you take Voriconazol Sandoz whilst using oral contraceptives, you may get side effects such as nausea and menstrual disorders)
- Vinca alkaloids (e.g. vincristine and vinblastine) (used in treating cancer)
- Indinavir and other HIV protease inhibitors (used for treating HIV)
- Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (e.g. efavirenz, delavirdine, nevirapine) (used for treating HIV) (some doses of efavirenz can NOT be taken at the same time as Voriconazol Sandoz)
- Methadone (used to treat heroin addiction)
- Alfentanil and fentanyl and other short acting opiates such as sufentanil (painkillers used for surgical procedures)
- Oxycodone and other long acting opiates such as hydrocodone (used for moderate to severe pain)
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen, diclofenac) (used for treating pain and inflammation)
- Fluconazole (used for fungal infections)
- Everolimus (used for treating advanced kidney cancer and in transplant patients)
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Voriconazol Sandoz must not be taken during pregnancy, unless indicated by your doctor. Effective contraception must be used in women of childbearing potential. Contact your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Voriconazol Sandoz.
Voriconazol Sandoz must not be taken during breast-feeding. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine whilst breast-feeding.
Driving and using machines
Voriconazol Sandoz may cause blurring of vision or uncomfortable sensitivity to light. While affected, do not drive or operate any tools or machines. Contact your doctor if you experience this.
Voriconazol Sandoz contains lactose.
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking Voriconazol Sandoz.
