title: Voriconazole pharmacokinetics and photosensitivity in children with cystic fibrosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A high incidence of adverse skin reactions following long-term oral administration of voriconazole in children with cystic fibrosis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). The aim was to study the pharmacokinetics of voriconazole in these patients and to determine a possible association between drug levels and adverse effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multiple venous blood samples were collected for HPLC determination of voriconazole concentrations and routine blood tests. Adverse events were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant correlation was found between incidence of photosensitivity and voriconazole serum levels in 6 of 8 children with ABPA. 80% of patients had trough voriconazole concentrations<1000 ng/mL and were highly variable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term voriconazole therapy and greater sun exposure in Greece appear to play a major role in the occurrence of photosensitivity. Steady-state plasma drug concentrations were found to be highly variable and below the recommended therapeutic range in most patients, without any apparent negative influence on outcome.
authors.affiliation: Athens University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, 157.71, Athens, Greece. kyroudi@pharm.uoa.gr
authors.forename: Sophia L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Markantonis
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katelari
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pappa
authors.forename: Stavros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Doudounakis
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001229:Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D002648:Child; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D013472:Sunlight; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014230:Triazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D065819:Voriconazole; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D011743:Pyrimidines; D014230:Triazoles; D065819:Voriconazole