noxafil

Noxafil (posaconazole) is an antifungal medication that fights certain infections caused by fungus.

Noxafil is used to prevent fungal infections in people with weak immune systems resulting from certain treatments or conditions (such as chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, HIV infection, and others).

Noxafil is also used to treat oral thrush (yeast infection of the mouth).

Noxafil may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

You should not take Noxafil together with: atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, pimozide, quinidine, sirolimus, or an ergot medicine (dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, or methylergonovine).

Take Noxafil for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Posaconazole will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Before using Noxafil

You should not use Noxafil if you are allergic to posaconazole or similar antifungals such as clotrimazole (Mycelex Troche), fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Oravig, Monistat), voriconazole (Vfend), and others.

Many drugs can interact with Noxafil and some should not be used at the same time, especially:

• pimozide;

• quinidine;

• sirolimus;

• cholesterol lowering medicines--atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), or simvastatin (Zocor, Vytorin); or

• ergot medicine--dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, or methylergonovine.

To make sure Noxafil is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• a heart rhythm disorder;

• a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome;

• liver or kidney disease; or

• if you take medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection (cyclosporine, tacrolimus).

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Noxafil will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

It is not known whether posaconazole passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using Noxafil.

Posaconazole is not approved for use by anyone younger than 13 years old.

How should I take Noxafil?

Take Noxafil exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Do not crush, chew, dissolve, or break a delayed-release tablet. Swallow it whole.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. Measure the liquid with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Noxafil delayed-release tablet works best if you take it with food. Take the oral suspension within 20 minutes after a full meal. If you cannot eat a full meal, take the oral suspension with a nutritional supplement (such as BOOST) or with an acidic carbonated drink such as ginger ale.

The liquid and tablet forms of Noxafil are not equivalent and may not have the same dose or schedule. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about the kind of medicine you receive at the pharmacy.

Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea. Noxafil may not work as well while during this time.

While using Noxafil, you may need frequent blood tests.

Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Noxafil will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if your next dose is less than 12 hours away. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid?

Follow your doctor"s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Noxafil side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Noxafil: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats;

• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;

• signs of an infection--fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, vomiting, mouth sores;

• liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

• low potassium--confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Common Noxafil side effects may include:

• diarrhea, nausea, vomiting;

• mild headache;

• fever; or

• cough.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Noxafil?

Many drugs can interact with Noxafil. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medications and any you start or stop using during treatment with Noxafil, especially:

• cimetidine, esomeprazole;

• citalopram;

• midazolam;

• nimodipine;

• phenytoin;

• rifabutin;

• anti-malaria medication--artemether, lumefantrine;

• cancer medicine--arsenic trioxide, bosutinib, nilotinib, toremifene, vandetanib, vemurafenib, vinblastine, vincristine, vinorelbine;

• heart rhythm medicine--amiodarone, dofetilide, dronedarone, procainamide, sotalol;

• HIV or AIDS medication--atazanavir, efavirenz, fosamprenavir, ritonavir; or

• medicine to treat a psychiatric disorder--iloperidone, thioridazine, ziprasidone, others.

This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with Noxafil. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.