The FDA ( Food and Drug Administration ) has approved Noxafil ( Posaconazole ) to prevent fungal infections caused by certain molds and yeast-like fungus called Aspergillus and Candida.

The drug is indicated in patients who have weakened immune systems following bone marrow transplants and for patients with a condition ( decreased white blood cell counts ) that makes it difficult for the body to fight infections following chemotherapy for cancer.

The safety and efficacy of Noxafil were evaluated in clinical trials consisting of 1,844 patients between 13 and 82 years of age.
In two, randomized, controlled studies of patients who had compromised immunity and were at high risk for invasive fungal infections, those patients who received Noxafil had comparable or lower rates of invasive Aspergillus and Candida infections than those patients who received other antifungal medications.

The most common side effects in patients receiving Noxafil were nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, a decrease in potassium blood levels and platelet counts, and abnormalities in liver function tests.
Rare adverse events possibly related to the drug include QTc prolongation and liver function impairment.

Noxafil must be taken with a full meal or nutritional supplement to allow adequate absorption of the drug into the body so it can take effect.

Noxafil has been shown to interact with several medications, including drugs that suppress the immune system, and these reactions may be serious.

Source: FDA, 2006


XagenaMedicine2006