Voriconazole: What it treats and what you should know

Voriconazole is a powerful antifungal used mainly for serious fungal infections, like invasive aspergillosis and severe Candida infections. If your doctor prescribed it, they likely judged the infection risky enough to need a drug that works deep in tissues, including the lungs and brain.

How it works and common uses

Voriconazole blocks enzymes fungi use to build their cell membranes, which stops their growth. Doctors commonly use it for invasive aspergillosis, some forms of candidemia, and other difficult fungal infections when first-line drugs aren't enough. It comes as tablets, an oral suspension, and an IV formulation—your doctor chooses the route based on how sick you are and how well you absorb pills.

Side effects, interactions, and practical tips

Expect some side effects. The most common are visual changes (blurry vision or altered color perception), nausea, and headache. Liver enzyme increases are common too, so labs are usually checked before and during treatment. Serious reactions—like severe rash, signs of liver failure, or irregular heartbeat—need immediate medical attention.

Voriconazole interacts with lots of drugs because the liver enzymes CYP2C19, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4 handle its metabolism. That means it can raise levels of drugs such as warfarin, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, some benzodiazepines, and certain statins. Conversely, strong enzyme inducers like rifampin, carbamazepine, and St. John's wort can make voriconazole ineffective. Tell your clinician about every prescription, over-the-counter drug, and supplement you take.

Some practical points: take oral voriconazole on an empty stomach—usually one hour before or one hour after eating—to keep absorption consistent. If you switch between IV and oral forms, your provider will adjust dosing. Many clinics check trough blood levels to make sure the drug is in the therapeutic range and to reduce toxicity; typical target levels are often quoted around 1–5.5 mg/L, but your doctor will interpret results for your case.

Avoid alcohol while on treatment if your liver tests are abnormal. Use good sun protection—voriconazole can cause photosensitivity and long-term skin damage has been reported in some patients. Pregnant people should avoid voriconazole unless there’s no safer option; discuss contraception and breastfeeding with your clinician.

When to call your doctor: if you notice yellowing skin or eyes, severe abdominal pain, new or worsening vision problems, fainting, fast/irregular heartbeat, or a widespread rash. These could be signs of serious toxicity.

If you're starting voriconazole, ask your prescriber about drug interactions, baseline liver tests, the need for blood level checks, and the expected course of therapy. That short conversation makes treatment safer and more effective.

Voriconazole: Best Treatment for Invasive Fusariosis in 2025

Voriconazole: Best Treatment for Invasive Fusariosis in 2025

Wondering how doctors tackle invasive fusariosis? This article digs into how voriconazole is changing the game for patients with this tricky fungal infection in 2025. You'll get real facts, data, tips for recognising symptoms, and the latest on what makes this drug stand out among antifungal therapies. Catch up with clinical cases and important advice for navigating treatment options. The insights will help you understand the stakes—and the promise—of using voriconazole for Fusarium infections.