title: Review of the safety and efficacy of voriconazole.
abstract: Voriconazole is a new triazole antifungal agent structurally related to fluconazole, but with improved potency and spectrum of activity. Voriconazole has good in vitro activity against Candida species, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus spp. and other mould spp. Initial clinical studies and case reports demonstrate efficacy with voriconazole against invasive aspergillosis and infections caused by C. neoformans, Scedosporium apiospermum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Coccidioides immitis and Histoplasma capsulatum. Voriconazole is available both as oral and iv. preparations and exhibits complex pharmacokinetics. This drug is metabolised by the cytochrome (CYP) P450 enzyme system and therefore, has potential drug interactions. This review evaluates the current literature regarding the safety and efficacy of voriconazole.
authors.affiliation: University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy, 1110 N. Stonewall Avenue, PO BOX 26901, Oklahoma City, OK 73190-5040, USA. holly-hoffman@ouhsc.edu
authors.forename: Holly L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: R Chris
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Rathbun
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D003904:Mitosporic Fungi / Q000187:drug effects*; D009181:Mycoses / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014230:Triazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D065819:Voriconazole
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D011743:Pyrimidines; D014230:Triazoles; D065819:Voriconazole