Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.
Key takeaways
Voriconazole (Vfend) and Posaconazole (Noxafil) are both antifungal medications, but they have some key differences. Voriconazole is used to treat serious fungal infections like invasive aspergillosis and esophageal candidiasis, while Posaconazole is used both to treat and prevent fungal infections, including oral thrush. Voriconazole is available in both oral and injectable forms and is typically started as an IV infusion in a hospital setting before switching to oral forms. Posaconazole also comes in oral and injectable forms and the oral tablet or suspension is taken with food to help absorption. Voriconazole can cause vision changes and skin sensitivity to sunlight, whereas Posaconazole is known for causing more gastrointestinal side effects like diarrhea and nausea. Both medications can cause liver damage and have many drug interactions, but Posaconazole is noted to be particularly hard on the liver and kidneys. Additionally, Posaconazole can be expensive, and pediatric use from 2 years old is available with some indications only approved for children over 13 years old, while Voriconazole's pediatric use under 12 years old is not established except for off label use.
Voriconazole (Vfend)
Posaconazole (Noxafil) infusion
Voriconazole (Vfend)
Posaconazole (Noxafil) infusion
Summary of Vfend vs. Noxafil
Summary for Antifungal
Prescription only
Voriconazole (Vfend) is an azole antifungal. It's used in adults and children ages 2 years and older to treat serious fungal infections, including invasive aspergillosis (IA) and esophageal candidiasis (EC). If you have a serious infection that needs voriconazole (Vfend), your healthcare team will typically give you this medication as an intravenous infusion in a hospital setting first. Once your condition improves, they might switch you to voriconazole (Vfend) tablet or oral suspension that's taken by mouth every 12 hours. Some common side effects of voriconazole (Vfend) include vision changes, nausea, and rash.
Summary for Antifungal
Prescription only
Posaconazole (Noxafil) infusion is an azole antifungal. It's used to treat serious Aspergillus fungal infections in adults and children ages 13 years and older. It's also used to prevent Candida and Aspergillus infections (prophylaxis) in adults and children ages 2 years and older with weakened immune systems. Posaconazole (Noxafil) infusion is given as an infusion into the veins, typically twice a day on the first day and then once a day thereafter. This medication is available under the brand name Noxafil and as a lower-cost generic. Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and abnormal liver tests.