isavuconazonium sulfate at a glance
Medicine class
Systemic triazole antifungal.
Licensed uses
Invasive aspergillosis; mucormycosis when amphotericin B is inappropriate.
Available forms
Hard capsules and a hospital-administered intravenous infusion.
Taking capsules
Swallow whole, with or without food. Do not open, crush, chew or dissolve them.
Important checks
Medicine interactions and liver function need review. Some specialist services also measure antifungal blood concentrations.
What is isavuconazonium sulfate used for?
These products are licensed for serious invasive fungal infections managed by specialist teams.
Invasive aspergillosis.
Mucormycosis when amphotericin B is inappropriate.
The selected capsules are licensed from 6 years of age; the selected intravenous formulation is licensed from 1 year of age.
How does isavuconazonium sulfate work?
The body converts isavuconazonium sulfate into isavuconazole. Isavuconazole blocks production of ergosterol, an essential component of fungal cell membranes, weakening their structure and function.
isavuconazonium sulfate preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 200 mg
Capsule
Route: Oral
Strengths: 40 mg, 100 mg
How to take isavuconazonium sulfate
Use it exactly as directed by the specialist team.
Swallow capsules whole with water, with or without food.
Do not open, chew, crush or dissolve capsules.
The intravenous form must be prepared and administered by healthcare professionals.
Immediately report symptoms that develop during an infusion.
isavuconazonium sulfate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or abdominal pain
- Headache or sleepiness
- Reduced appetite
- Rash or itching
- Abnormal liver blood tests
- Low blood potassium
- Fatigue
- Infusion-site reactions with intravenous treatment
Get urgent medical advice
- Anaphylaxis, including sudden breathing difficulty, swelling or faintness
- Severe blistering or peeling of the skin or mucous membranes
- Possible liver injury, including yellow skin or eyes or dark urine
- Marked confusion, seizure or fainting
- Substantially reduced urine output or swelling that may indicate kidney problems
isavuconazonium sulfate in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are lacking and animal studies found reproductive toxicity. It should generally be avoided during pregnancy unless a severe or potentially life-threatening fungal infection means the specialist considers the expected benefit greater than the possible fetal risk. Discuss pregnancy, pregnancy planning and contraception with the prescriber.
isavuconazonium sulfate while breastfeeding
A risk to a breastfed infant cannot be excluded. UK product information states that breastfeeding should be discontinued during treatment. Discuss feeding options promptly with the specialist team.
isavuconazonium sulfate interactions
Isavuconazole is affected by CYP3A4/5 inhibitors and inducers and can alter exposure to other medicines. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber to check prescriptions, over-the-counter products and herbal remedies.
Rifampicin, rifabutin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital and St John’s wort
These can markedly reduce isavuconazole exposure; concurrent use is contraindicated.
Ketoconazole
It can markedly increase isavuconazole exposure; concurrent use is contraindicated.
High-dose ritonavir
It can reduce isavuconazole exposure; concurrent use is contraindicated.
Common questions about isavuconazonium sulfate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is isavuconazonium sulfate used to treat?
Invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis when amphotericin B is inappropriate.
Are isavuconazonium sulfate and isavuconazole the same?
Isavuconazonium sulfate is the administered prodrug; the body rapidly converts it into active isavuconazole.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.