Voriconazole

voriconazole
IUPAC name: see chemistry section Synonyms: VCZ Formula: C16H14F3N5O
Uses:	antifungal drug
Properties:	azole compound
Hazards:	see side effects & drug interactions
Mass (g/mol): CAS #: 349.3105 137234-62-9

Voriconazole, sold under the brand name Vfend®, is a triazole-based antifungal drug used to treat infections due to fungi, usually to treat invasive infection in immunocompromised patients or fluconazole-resistent strains. It is used to treat candidiasis, apergillosis, Scedosporium apiospermum and Fusarium species including Fusarium solani.

Mechanism of action

Azole-based antifungal agents, such as voriconazole, inhibit the cytochrome P450 enzyme 14-alpha-demethylase, and by doing so stop the conversion of lanosterol to ergosterol, an important component of fungal cell wall membranes. The lack of ergosterol makes the fungal cell wall permeable and inhibits cell growth.

Chemistry

The IUPAC name of voriconazole is (2R,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(5-fluoropyrimidin-4-yl)-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan- 2-ol and its molecular formula, C₁₆H₁₄F₃N₅O, gives it a molecular mass of 349.3105 g/mol. The activity of the drug is based on the presence of an azole.

References & external links

• Voriconazole - FDA approved drug information (drug label) from DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine).

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