Posaconazole

Information about Posaconazole

Posaconazole is a potent triazole antifungal agent used in the prevention of invasive fungal infections due to aspergillosis and candida in high risk patients.

Liver safety of Posaconazole

Posaconazole therapy is associated with transient, asymptomatic serum aminotransferase elevations and is a suspected but rare cause of clinically apparent acute drug induced liver injury.

Mechanism of action of Posaconazole

Posaconazole (poe" sa kon' a zole) is a synthetic triazole that is believed to act through inhibition of the fungal 14a-ergosterol demethylase, which is responsible for converting lanosterol to ergosterol and which blocks cell membrane synthesis. Posaconazole is active against a broad spectrum of fungal agents including Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus.

FDA approval information for Posaconazole

Posaconazole was approved for use in the United States in 2006. Current indications are oropharyngeal candidiasis and prophylaxis against invasive fungal infections in neutropenic or immunosuppressed patients.

Dosage and administration for Posaconazole

Posaconazole is available as a 100 mg delayed-release tablet and as an oral suspension of 40 mg/mL under the brand name Noxafil. A loading dose is recommended followed by maintenance doses of 100 to 300 mg daily; however, the dosage varies depending upon indications and the formulation used.

Side effects of Posaconazole

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness and rash.

• Dailymed label info on Posaconazole
• FDA Posaconazole