isavuconazonium
Brand names: Cresemba
Cresemba is an antifungal medicine. It is used to treat serious fungal infections in adults and children.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$107.94/unit
Generic Available
No
ASTELLAS
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Cresemba treats invasive aspergillosis and invasive mucormycosis.
Common side effects
Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea
Key warnings
Cresemba can cause serious liver problems.
How It Works
Cresemba belongs to a class of drugs called azole antifungals. It works by stopping the growth of the fungi. This helps your body fight off the infection.
How to Take It
Cresemba can be given as an injection or capsules. The injection is given into your vein over at least 1 hour. Capsules can be taken with or without food. Follow your doctor's instructions on how much and how often to take Cresemba.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Cresemba can harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breastfeed while taking Cresemba.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store Cresemba capsules at room temperature, away from moisture. Store Cresemba for injection in the refrigerator.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 2,176 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 3,219 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2015–2025.
Total Reports
3,219
Death-Related Reports
674
Hospitalization Reports
1,032
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | OFF LABEL USE | 926 |
| 2 | DEATH | 310 |
| 3 | NAUSEA | 143 |
| 4 | FEBRILE NEUTROPENIA | 135 |
| 5 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 125 |
| 6 | PYREXIA | 125 |
| 7 | PNEUMONIA | 114 |
| 8 | CONDITION AGGRAVATED | 106 |
| 9 | FATIGUE | 101 |
| 10 | DIARRHOEA | 91 |
| 11 | DYSPNOEA | 87 |
| 12 | DRUG INTERACTION | 84 |
| 13 | VOMITING | 81 |
| 14 | PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION | 72 |
| 15 | ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY | 70 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Cresemba can cause serious liver problems. Your doctor will check your liver function before and during treatment. Cresemba can also cause allergic reactions. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of a reaction, like trouble breathing or skin rash. Cresemba can harm an unborn baby. Use birth control while taking this medicine.
Known Drug Interactions
Antihelminthics, Antifungals and Antiprotozoals Isavuconazonium Contraindicated during and 2 weeks after itraconazole treatment.
Mechanism: Itraconazole blocks the body's ability to break down isavuconazonium, which can cause the drug to reach unsafe levels.
What to do: Do not take these medicines together, and wait two weeks after stopping itraconazole before starting the new drug.
Atorvastatin Use with Caution Caution should be used when atorvastatin is used with CRESEMBA due to a potential increase in atorvastatin exposure. Monitor patients for adverse reactions that are typical of atorvastatin [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .
Mechanism: Isavuconazonium can increase the amount of atorvastatin in your blood by slowing down how your body processes it. This can make you more likely to experience side effects from the cholesterol medicine.
What to do: Use this combination with caution and tell your doctor if you notice any new side effects like muscle pain.
Bupropion Use with Caution Concomitant administration of CRESEMBA and bupropion results in decrease in bupropion exposure. Dose increase of bupropion may be necessary when coadministered with CRESEMBA, but should not exceed the maximum recommended dose [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .
Mechanism: Taking isavuconazonium can lower the amount of bupropion in your system, making the medication less effective. This happens because the body clears the drug faster than normal.
What to do: Your doctor may need to increase your dose of bupropion to ensure it still works correctly.
Cyclosporine Use with Caution Concomitant administration of CRESEMBA and cyclosporine results in increase in cyclosporine exposure. Monitor drug concentrations of cyclosporine and adjust dose as needed [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . ( 7 ) • Appropriate therapeutic drug monitoring and dose adjustment of immunosuppressants (i.e., tacrolimus, sirolimus, and cyclosporine) may be necessary when coadministered with CRESEMBA.
Mechanism: Isavuconazonium causes cyclosporine to build up in your body by slowing its removal. This can lead to higher levels of the drug, which may cause harm.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your cyclosporine blood levels and adjust your dose as needed.
Midazolam Use with Caution Concomitant administration of CRESEMBA and midazolam results in increase in midazolam exposure. Consider dose reduction of midazolam when isavuconazole is coadministered [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .
Mechanism: Isavuconazonium slows down the breakdown of midazolam, which leads to higher levels of the sedative in your blood. This can make the drug's effects much stronger or last longer than intended.
What to do: Your doctor may need to reduce your dose of midazolam while you are taking these medications together.
Common Questions
What should I tell my doctor before taking Cresemba?
Can I take other medicines with Cresemba?
How long will I need to take Cresemba?
What if I have infusion-related reactions?
What if I have abnormal liver tests?
What is the dose for adults?
What is the dose for children?
Can Cresemba cause any serious side effects?
What should I do if I think I have a side effect?
How should I store Cresemba?
What are the common side effects of isavuconazonium?
Does isavuconazonium interact with other medications?
What drug class is isavuconazonium?
Is isavuconazonium safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Azole Antifungal
Other drugs grouped near isavuconazonium — same-class peers and common alternatives.
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What the FDA Data Shows for isavuconazonium
The FDA label for isavuconazonium (sold under brand names such as Cresemba) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Azole Antifungal class. Cresemba treats invasive aspergillosis and invasive mucormycosis. Official labeling lists 11 commonly reported side effects, including Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 2,176 voluntary reports. The database also lists 9 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: April 25, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages