Therapeutic drug monitoring of voriconazole and posaconazole.
- Resource Type
- Academic Journal
- Authors
- Hussaini T; Department of Pharmacy, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.; Rüping MJ; Farowski F; Vehreschild JJ; Cornely OA
- Source
- Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 8111305 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1875-9114 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 02770008 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Pharmacotherapy Subsets: MEDLINE
- Subject
- Language
- English
Despite the availability of newer antifungal agents, invasive fungal diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Voriconazole and posaconazole are two extended-spectrum triazoles indicated for treatment and prophylaxis of invasive fungal diseases. Recently, there has been increased interest in the utility of therapeutic drug monitoring to optimize safety and efficacy of antifungals in an attempt to improve patient outcomes. We reviewed the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of voriconazole and posaconazole in the context of clinical indications for therapeutic drug monitoring. In addition, the most recent evidence examining the relationship between serum concentrations of voriconazole and posaconazole and their efficacy or toxicities was evaluated. This information was then integrated to formulate recommendations for use of therapeutic drug monitoring in clinical settings.