Adverse Effects of Voriconazole: Over a Decade of Use

Voriconazole, used since 2002 for treating invasive aspergillosis, was associated with several adverse effects, particularly in immunocompromised patients. These included an increased risk of aggressive and multifocal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), phototoxicity, periostitis, hallucinations, encephalopathy, peripheral neuropathy, alopecia, nail changes, and hyponatremia. Monitoring voriconazole levels was crucial to mitigate neuropsychiatric and gastrointestinal toxicities. The review emphasized the need for guidelines to screen for adverse effects during long-term use, highlighting the importance of therapeutic drug monitoring to manage these risks and improve patient safety.