MSD launches posaconazole concentrate for solution for IV in UK

Launched after the completion of the iv clinical development programme, posaconazole concentrate for solution for iv provides another option for treatment of fungal infections in critically ill patients who are unable to take oral versions.

Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle Haematology Department professor Graham Jackson said: "The availability of the i.v. infusion allows clinicians to start posaconazole, knowing they can continue treatment as patients’ clinical needs change by switching between formulations according to dosing recommendations."

The launch was supported by the results of a non-comparative multi-centre study that was undertaken to evaluate the pharmacokinetic properties, safety and tolerability of posaconazole concentrate for solution for infusion.

Indicated for use in the patients suffering from invasive aspergillosis, fusariosis, chromoblastomycosis and mycetoma, as well as coccidioidomycosis, the solution should be initiated by a physician experienced in the management of fungal infections or in supportive care in the high risk patients for which posaconazole is indicated as prophylaxis.

The solution is also indicated for prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections in patients receiving remission-induction chemotherapy for acute myelogenous leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes, as well as amglocise hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients who are undergoing high-dose immunosuppressive therapy for graft versus host disease and are at risk of fungal infections.

Unlike the Noxafil oral suspension, Noxafil iv is not indicated for the treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis.

The solution requires dilution and should be administered through central line by slow infusion over 90 minutes, and a switch to oral administration is recommended as soon as the patients’ condition allows and according to dosing recommendations.