Cresemba (Isavuconazole - Isavuconazonium Sulfate)

Cresemba (Isavuconazole - Isavuconazonium Sulfate) is used in adults to treat aspergillosis; mucormycosis (also called zygomycosis). These are fungal infections that can be found in your blood or body tissue. This medication is known as an azole antifungal. Isavuconazole works by killing or stopping the growth of the fungus which caused the infection. Cresemba can be taken with or without food. Swallow the capsules whole. Do not chew, crush, dissolve, or open the capsules. This medication works best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may result in a return of the infection.

Manufacturer Information

The common side effects of Cresemba may include change in the level of a liver enzyme in your blood; back pain; cough; diarrhea; vomiting; swelling of arms or legs. Contact your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Fainting;
• Fast or irregular hearbeats;
• Low potassium in your blood including symptoms such as constipation, feeling of skipped heart beats or palpitations, fatigue, muscle weakness or spasms, tingling or numbness;
• Mental or mood changes;
• Signs of kidney problems;
• Severe blistering of the skin, mouth, eyes or genitals;
• Seizures

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Please call your doctor if you have any further concerns or questions.

Do not use Cresemba if you: are allergic to isavuconazonium sulfate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine, are pregnant or breast feeding, have heartbeat problems called “familial short QT syndrome”; are using any of the following medicines: ketoconazole, used for fungal infections; high doses of ritonavir, used for HIV; rifampin or rifabutin, used for tuberculosis; carbamazepine, used for epilepsy; long-acting barbiturates, used for epilepsy and sleep disorders; St. John’s wort, a herbal medicine; efavirenz, etravirine, used for HIV. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you: have had an allergic reaction to other “azole” anti-fungal treatments in the past; are suffering from severe liver disease. Cresemba may make you feel confused, tired or sleepy. It can also make you pass out. If this happens, do not drive or use machines. Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines. Unless your health professional tells you otherwise, do not take Cresemba if you are taking: rufinamide, or other medicines which decrease the QT interval on the heart tracing (ECG); aprepitant, used to prevent nausea and vomiting by cancer treatment; prednisone, used for rheumatoid arthritis; pioglitazone, used for diabetes.

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