Voriconazole: the newest triazole antifungal agent

Nickie D. Greer, PharmD

From the Department of Pharmacy Services, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.

Corresponding author: Nickie D. Greer, PharmD, Department of Pharmacy Services, Baylor University Medical Center, 3500 Gaston Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75246 (e-mail: NickiG@BaylorHealth.edu).

Voriconazole is the newest agent in the armamentarium against fungal infections. It is a triazole antifungal with a structure related to that of fluconazole and a spectrum of activity comparable to that of itraconazole. Voriconazole was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in May 2002 for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis and refractory infections of Scedosporium apiospermum and Fusarium spp. Studies have also shown it to be a promising agent for empiric treatment in febrile neutropenia.