This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.
Brand Names: US
Noxafil
Brand Names: Canada
GLN-Posaconazole; JAMP-Posaconazole; Posanol; Sandoz Posaconazole
What is this drug used for?
- It is used to treat fungal infections.
- It is used to prevent fungal infections.
What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?
All products:
- If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
- If your child has kidney disease.
- If your child has any of these health problems: Low calcium, magnesium, or potassium levels.
- If your child takes any drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) that must not be taken with this drug, like certain drugs that are used for high cholesterol, migraines, or mood problems. There are many drugs that must not be taken with this drug.
Powder for delayed-release oral suspension:
- If your child is not able to break down fructose.
- If your child weighs more than 88 lb (40 kg).
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?
All products:
- Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
- Do not give to your child longer than you have been told. A second infection may happen.
- If your child is taking vinblastine, vincristine, or vinorelbine, talk with your child’s doctor. Very bad nerve problems like seizures; burning, numbness, and tingling; and a type of bowel block have happened when this drug was used with vincristine.
If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:
- This drug may cause harm to the unborn baby if your child takes it during pregnancy. If your child is pregnant or gets pregnant while taking this drug, call the doctor right away.
- Tell the doctor if your child is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about any risks to the baby.
All oral products:
- If your child is throwing up or has diarrhea, this drug may not work as well. Talk with your child’s doctor.
Liquid (suspension):
- If your child has high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your child’s blood sugar closely.
Powder for delayed-release oral suspension:
- Alcohol may interact with this drug. Be sure your child does not drink alcohol.
What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
All products:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of electrolyte problems like mood changes; confusion; muscle pain, cramps, or spasms; weakness; shakiness; change in balance; an abnormal heartbeat; seizures; loss of appetite; or severe upset stomach or throwing up.
- Signs of high or low blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
- Shortness of breath.
- Swelling in the arms or legs.
- Fever, chills, or sore throat; any unexplained bruising or bleeding; or feeling very tired or weak.
- Nosebleed.
- Vaginal bleeding that is not normal.
- A type of abnormal heartbeat (prolonged QT interval) has happened with this drug. Sometimes, this has led to another type of unsafe abnormal heartbeat (torsades de pointes). Call your child’s doctor right away if your child has a fast or abnormal heartbeat, or if your child passes out.
- Liver problems have happened with this drug. Sometimes, liver problems have been deadly in people with severe health problems. Call the doctor right away if your child has signs of liver problems like dark urine, tiredness, decreased appetite, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
All oral products:
- Mouth irritation or mouth sores.
Liquid (suspension):
- Signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, unusual thirst or hunger, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:
All products:
- Headache.
- Feeling tired or weak.
- Constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, upset stomach, throwing up, or decreased appetite.
- Cough.
Liquid (suspension):
- Dizziness.
- Joint pain.
- Back pain.
- Trouble sleeping.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
How is this drug best given?
Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
Liquid (suspension):
- Give this drug with a full meal.
- If your child is not able to eat a full meal, give this drug with a liquid nutrition supplement or an acidic carbonated drink like ginger ale. If your child is not able to drink these drinks, talk with your child’s doctor.
- Shake well before use.
- Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with this drug.
- Keep giving this drug to your child as you have been told by your child’s doctor or other health care provider, even if your child feels well.
Delayed-release tablets:
- Give this drug with or without food.
- Have your child swallow whole. Do not let your child chew, break, or crush.
- If your child has trouble swallowing, talk with the doctor.
- Keep giving this drug to your child as you have been told by your child’s doctor or other health care provider, even if your child feels well.
Powder for delayed-release oral suspension:
- Give this drug with food.
- Do not open the packet until you are ready to give this drug. This drug comes as a kit with special notched syringes to prepare and give your child the dose. Be sure you know how to mix and give this drug. Talk with the doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
- Shake the powder to the bottom of the packet. Place the contents of one packet in the mixing cup that comes with this drug. Shake the mixing liquid well and add 9 mL of the mixing liquid to the cup. Do not mix with any other type of liquid (like water, juice, or milk). Shake well for 45 seconds. Be sure the powder is all mixed. It will look cloudy and free of clumps.
- Use within 1 hour after mixing.
- This drug may come with more than 1 notched dosing syringe in the kit. Be sure you know which syringe to use for your child’s dose.
- Measure liquid doses carefully.
- Measure your child’s dose carefully in the notched dosing syringe that comes with this drug. Do not use a different syringe. This drug may clump and your child may not get the whole dose. Throw away any of the mixture that is left after the dose is given.
- After all the doses have been given, throw away any mixing liquid that is left over.
- If your child’s weight changes, talk with the doctor. The dose of this drug may need to be changed.
- Ask the doctor what to do if your child is not able to take the full dose. Ask the doctor what to do if your child throws up or spits up after taking this drug.
Injection:
- It is given as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.
What do I do if my child misses a dose?
Liquid (suspension):
- Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your child’s next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child’s normal time.
- Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
Delayed-release tablets and Powder for delayed-release oral suspension:
- Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is less than 12 hours until your child’s next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child’s normal time.
- Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
Injection:
- Call your child’s doctor to find out what to do.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
All oral products:
- Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
Liquid (suspension):
- Do not freeze.
Powder for delayed-release oral suspension:
- Store in foil pouch until ready for use.
- Store the mixing liquid at room temperature.
Injection:
- If you need to store this drug at home, talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.
All products:
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
General drug facts
- If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
- Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.
Last Reviewed Date
2022-10-07
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