Posaconazole: Uses, Availability and Price
Posaconazole is used to treat serious fungal infections in people having weakened immune systems due to medical treatments or conditions.
Posaconazole: Uses, Availability and Price:
Posaconazole tablet is an antifungal medicine indicated to treat infections caused by the fungal species Aspergillus and Candida. It is also used to prevent invasive fungal disease that is a common occurrence in hospitalized patients and patients with a weak immune system like blood cancer and stem cell transplant patients.
People with severe COVID-19 and those recovering from COVID-19 infection are at a greater risk of acquiring fungal infections due to prolonged stay at the hospital, use of steroids, existing health conditions like diabetes and weak immune system. In such cases, Amphotericin B is initiated as the first-line treatment and Posaconazole is used as a ‘step down’ therapy.
Posaconazole is available in the market in the form of an oral suspension, tablet, syrup and injection. The price of this medicine ranges from Rs. 4000 to Rs. 20900, depending on the dosage form, manufacturing company, distribution, etc.
2. Why is Posaconazole so expensive in India?
Antifungal medications, in general, are high in cost. Though expensive, Posaconazole is superior in terms of efficacy compared to standard antifungal therapy. In fact, it is regarded as a cost saving medicine due to its effectiveness in preventing invasive fungal disease in high-risk patients. It can be used to treat severe fungal infections that were not responding to other antifungal medications (itraconazole, voriconazole, etc.). It also effectively prolongs survival in immune system-compromised patients by preventing invasive fungal disease. Hence, the demand for this medicine is high.
3. Posaconazole immediate manufacturers in India:
Following are the list of companies that manufactures Posaconazole:
- Intas Pharmaceuticals
- Mylan Pharmaceuticals
- Natco Pharma Ltd
- Hetero Healthcare Ltd
- MSN Laboratories
- Abbott
- MSD Pharmaceuticals
- Zydus Cadila
- Biocon Biologics Limited
- Gufic Biosciences Ltd
4. What is the difference between Amphotericin B and Posaconazole?
Both Amphotericin B and Posaconazole belong to the category of Antifungal medicines. While Amphotericin B is the first choice for treating invasive fungal disease, Posaconazole is indicated either as a step-down therapy or as a replacement (salvage therapy) when a patient does not respond to Amphotericin B treatment.
5. Is Noxafil and Picasa Posaconazole same and be used as a substitute for each other?
Noxafil and Picasa are composed of the same molecule Posaconazole but they are marketed by different companies. Noxafil is manufactured by MSD Pharmaceuticals and Picasa is manufactured by Intas Pharmaceuticals. Both have the same dose and effect and can be used as a substitute for each other.
6. Does Posaconazole Tablet (Delayed-Release) increase blood sugar levels?
Posaconazole Delayed-Release Tablets are not directly linked to high blood sugar levels. However, if you are a known diabetic, it is essential to keep your blood sugar levels under check while on this treatment.
7. How many days fever remain after the last dose of Posaconazole if there is no fungal infection?
Fever is one of the common side effects associated with the use of this medicine. This occurs due to low levels of white blood cells in the blood that can be seen in your blood tests. In such cases, your physician will take a CT scan to rule out the possibility of fungal infections. Generally, the fever subsides within 7 days and if it exceeds more than 7 days, contact your physician immediately.
8. What precautions should I follow during this treatment?
Before this treatment, you should inform your physician if you have experienced allergic reactions to other antifungal medicines like ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole, or voriconazole. Report to your medical professional instantly if you notice changes in your heartbeat during this treatment. Contact your physician immediately if you develop itching, nausea, vomiting, yellow eyes or skin or extreme tiredness. These may be signs of liver abnormalities.
9. How to procure Posaconazole for fungus infected patients?
MrMed has the largest inventory of Posaconazole across various brands and you can procure by typing Posaconazole in the search bar of MrMed.in
10. How many doses of Posaconazole is required to treat black fungus?
Black fungus or mucormycosis requires medical intervention from a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals. The duration of therapy and the number of doses depend on how rapidly your infection was diagnosed, site of infection, pre-existing health issues and your immune response.
