Noxafil Treats Invasive Fungal Infections

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Noxafil Treats Invasive Fungal Infections

09.18.06, 12:00 AM ET

Forbes

http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/health/feeds/hscout/2006/09/18/hscou

t535020.html

MONDAY, Sept. 18 (HealthDay News) -- A new molecular drug designed

to prevent fungal infections in post-surgical patients and others

with weaker immune systems has been approved by the U.S. Food and

Drug Administration.

Schering Corp.'s Noxafil (posaconazole) contains a substance that

has never before been approved in the United States, the FDA said in

a statement. The drug was approved to prevent infections caused by

certain molds and yeast-like fungi called Aspergillus and Candida.

While people with healthy immune systems are normally unaffected by

these fungi, they tend to cause invasive infections in people who

have had bone-marrow transplants and people with low white blood

cell counts, the agency said.

Noxafil's safety and effectiveness were evaluated in clinical trials

involving 1,844 people between ages 13 and 82. Common side effects

included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, a drop in blood potassium

levels, and in rare cases, problems with heart or liver function.

The drug should be taken with a full meal to allow for adequate

absorption into the body, the FDA said.

More information

Visit the National Library of Medicine to learn more about fungal

infections.