To promote the proper use of voriconazole (VRCZ),we monitored VRCZ blood concentrations,and investigated the clinical significance of doing this.On comparing C/D (blood VRCZ concentration/VRCZ dose) values for different VRCZ administration methods we found that there was no significant difference between the intravenous drip and oral administration methods (t-test : P=0.607)in this respect.There was also no correlation between the dose of VRCZ per unit body weight and its blood concentration (variance analysis : R2=0.012,P=0.449).Though total bilirubin (T-Bil) levels were correlated with C/D values (variance analysis : R2=0.104,P=0.020),serum creatinine clearance (CCr) and C/D values (variance analysis : R2=0.062,P=0.078)were not correlated.Furthermore,C/D values in males were significantly higher than those in females (t-test : P=0.001).
Approximately 25% of the patients had a blood concentration trough value exceeding 4.5μg/mL,which indicates an enhanced risk of liver dysfunction,and this suggests that the measurement of blood VRCZ concentrations is clinically important for preventing side effects.
