Cresemba Intravenous

Brand name:

Cresemba.

Intravenous isavuconazonium is an antifungal that is indicated for patients 18 years of age and older who are suffering from severe fungal and yeast infections, such as invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis. Its mechanism of action involves destroying the infective agent and preventing growth.

It can only be purchased with a prescription and is usually sold in powder form for reconstitution.

The risks and benefits involved using Isavuconazonium should be discussed first with your physician, and certain tests must be performed to determine if you are eligible for this medication.

There are a number of factors you need to consider. If you are allergic to medications of the same class, inform your doctor. Also, tell your healthcare team about any allergy you have to food, preservatives, and/or animals.

This medication is prescribed to individuals who are 18 years old and older. Its safety and efficacy have not been established in those younger than 18 years old.

However, studies have found that the use of Isavuconazonium in geriatric patients is safe.

Isavuconazonium should only be prescribed to pregnant women if the benefits outweigh the risks since not enough evidence has been found to establish its efficacy and safety. If you are taking this medication, stop breast feeding. Studies have found that it can be secreted in breast milk.

Isavuconazonium also interacts with other drugs.

Tell the doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• Aprepitant
• Atazanavir
• Doceprevir
• Delavirdine
• Fosaprepitant
• Indinavir
• Mephobarbital
• Oxcarbazepine
• Posaconazole
• Rifampin
• Saquinavir
• Telithromycin
• and Voriconazole

Concomitant use with those is not recommended and your physician may choose to treat you with another medication. CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers can also influence Isavuconazonium levels.

Tell your physician if you are using immunosuppressants. This may prompt dosage adjustment and therapeutic drug monitoring. Isavuconazonium is contraindicated in patients with heart rhythm problems and be used with caution in those with liver disease.

Intravenous medications should be administered by a trained healthcare professional like nurses or physicians. The same goes for Isavuconazonium. It is injected slowly through an IV line so it can enter your bloodstream directly. It is usually administered over an hour. Be informed and read the patient information sheet that comes with the medication. Check with your physician if you have any questions.

It is essential that your progress and condition are monitored closely while on Isavuconazonium treatment. In this way, your physician can prevent unwanted side effects and ensure that the drug is working well in treating your infection. A series of blood and organ function tests are also necessary to check Isavuconazonium’s effect on your body.

Do not take Tegretol®, Nizoral®, Luminal®, Rifadin®, Norvir® or St. John's wort while on this medication. Concomitant use can lead to the development of adverse reactions.

Since the effects of Isavuconazonium on the fetus are unknown, it is best to avoid getting pregnant while taking it.

Use effective birth control methods and inform your physician if you suspect that you are pregnant.

This medication can cause liver damage. Watch out for signs and symptoms that could reflect this. These include:

• upper stomach tenderness
• loss of appetite
• dark urine, and jaundice.

Isavuconazonium can also cause a severe allergic reaction called infusion-related reaction. Signs and symptoms include:

• dizziness
• chills
• trouble breathing
• numbness or tingling
• chest tightness
• change in your sense of touch
• and/or lightheadedness

Notify your physician right away if you experience these. If you develop serious skin reactions like blistering, peeling, red skin lesions, skin rashes, sores, and/or fever, inform your doctor immediately.

Consult your physician prior to taking any type of OTC drug.

Several side effects are associated with Isavuconazonium. The can be expected side effects that go away without treatment or serious ones that need immediate medical attention. Discuss this with your physician.

Inform your nurse or doctor right away if you have the following signs and symptoms:

• skin abnormalities like bleeding, blistering, burning, and discolouration
• hives, numbness, pain, tenderness, tingling
• swelling of the face and limbs
• bloody urine
• chest pain
• confusion
• convulsions
• decreased micturition
• lightheadedness
• fast or irregular heart rate
• loss of appetite
• muscle pain or muscle spasms
• severe nausea or vomiting
• trouble breathing
• and unusual tiredness or weakness

Common side effects that may not need treatment include:

• sour stomach
• anxiety
• back pain
• heartburn
• trouble sleeping
• and restlessness

Not so common ones include:

• buzzing noise in the ears, eye pain, thinning of the hair, hearing loss, and sensation of spinning

Talk to your healthcare team about how to reduce or prevent the occurrence of these effects. Also, notify your doctor if these get worse or if you experience signs and symptoms that are not listed here.