Cresemba® Capsules for Invasive Aspergillosis and Mucormycosis

What Cresemba® Is and How It Works

Cresemba® (isavuconazonium sulfate) is a triazole antifungal used in adults to treat invasive aspergillosis and invasive mucormycosis. The oral form is a hard gelatin capsule. Each capsule contains 186 mg of isavuconazonium sulfate, which delivers 100 mg of isavuconazole after conversion in the body. You can review Cresemba price and package options on this page before you order. YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy headquartered in Manitoba; prescriptions are reviewed by licensed pharmacists before dispensing.

This antifungal medication is a prodrug. After swallowing, plasma esterases convert isavuconazonium sulfate to isavuconazole, the active moiety. Isavuconazole inhibits the fungal enzyme lanosterol 14-α-demethylase (CYP51). This blocks ergosterol synthesis, disrupts the fungal cell membrane, and limits growth. Activity covers Aspergillus species and many Mucorales organisms that cause severe, opportunistic infections.

Cresemba medication is available as capsules for home use and as an intravenous formulation often used in hospitals. Many patients ask about Cresemba tablets; the oral product is a capsule, not a tablet. Searches for Isavuconazole tablets price or Cresemba tablet price usually point to the same capsule strength. The dosing regimen includes a loading phase followed by once-daily maintenance. The long half-life (about 130 hours) supports stable exposure after the first two weeks.

Dosage and Usage

• Initiation (loading): 372 mg (two 186 mg capsules) every 8 hours for the first 6 doses over 48 hours.
• Maintenance: 372 mg (two 186 mg capsules) once daily starting 12–24 hours after the last loading dose.
• Administration: Swallow capsules whole. Do not chew, crush, or open. Take with or without food, at the same time each day.
• Duration: Treatment commonly continues for 6–12 weeks or longer based on the infection, response, and imaging.
• Missed dose: Take the dose when remembered unless it is close to the next scheduled dose. Skip the missed dose if needed. Do not double up.
• Drug interactions to avoid: Strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, St. John’s wort) and strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, high-dose ritonavir) are contraindicated. Levels of some immunosuppressants (tacrolimus, cyclosporine, sirolimus), certain statins, and benzodiazepines may increase; prescribers often reduce or monitor these.
• Special populations: No dose adjustment is typically required for renal impairment. Use caution in severe hepatic impairment; monitor liver tests.

• Storage: Store capsules at 20–25 °C (68–77 °F). Short excursions 15–30 °C (59–86 °F) are allowed. Keep dry and in the original container.
• Travel: Pack in carry-on luggage with the original label. Protect from moisture and heat. Bring extra doses and a copy of your prescription.
• Handling: Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not use after the labeled expiry date.

Benefits and Savings

Cresemba antifungal therapy offers broad coverage, including mucormycosis, and a convenient once-daily maintenance dose after the loading phase. The oral option supports step-down from hospital IV therapy, and the capsule can be taken with or without food. Unlike many azoles, isavuconazole shortens the QT interval rather than prolonging it, which influences suitability for some patients under specialist care.

Buying through a Canadian pharmacy can lower total treatment expense. Typical savings are about 60–80% versus many US prices, especially for multi-week courses. Reorder reminders help you stay on track, and choosing a multi-month supply can lower the per-month cost through bulk promotions. Our prompt, express shipping serves US addresses.

We work with licensed, audited partner pharmacies internationally to supply authentic brand medications at competitive prices and a wide selection.

To see current offers, visit our promotions page for any Cresemba coupon.

Side Effects and Safety

• Common effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.
• Headache, dizziness, fatigue, or insomnia.
• Cough, dyspnea, or sinusitis symptoms.
• Peripheral edema or back pain.
• Abdominal pain or dyspepsia.
• Elevated liver enzymes or bilirubin on labs.
• Hypokalemia on labs.

Serious risks are uncommon but include hepatic injury or failure, severe cutaneous reactions (such as Stevens–Johnson syndrome), anaphylaxis, and infusion-related reactions with the IV form. Isavuconazole shortens the QT interval; Cresemba is contraindicated in familial short QT syndrome. Strong CYP3A4 inducers and strong CYP3A4 inhibitors are contraindicated. Discuss pregnancy and breastfeeding with the prescriber, as animal data suggest fetal risk and the drug is present systemically.

Onset Time

Plasma concentrations rise quickly during the loading phase, and steady state is reached in about 14 days because of the long half-life. Symptom improvement in invasive aspergillosis is often assessed within the first 1–2 weeks, while radiographic changes can lag. For mucormycosis, clinical gains may take longer and depend on surgical management and immune recovery. Treatment duration is guided by the treating specialist using clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings.

Compare With Alternatives

Voriconazole is a key alternative for invasive aspergillosis. It is effective but can cause visual disturbances and photosensitivity, and it prolongs the QT interval. It lacks reliable mucor coverage. Cresemba’s spectrum includes Mucorales, and its QT-shortening effect may influence selection in certain patients under specialist oversight.

Posaconazole offers broad mold activity and is used for prophylaxis and treatment. Delayed-release tablets improve absorption and are taken with food. Drug–drug interactions are significant with both posaconazole and isavuconazole, so prescribers balance efficacy, tolerability, and interactions for each patient.

Liposomal amphotericin B (IV) remains standard for many mucormycosis cases, especially at the start of therapy. Once patients stabilize, specialists may transition to oral therapy. Cresemba oral capsules provide a practical step-down option when appropriate.

Combination Therapy

• Induction with IV amphotericin B followed by oral Cresemba for mucormycosis, guided by clinical response.
• Cresemba plus an echinocandin for refractory aspergillosis in selected cases.
• Co-administration with calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus, cyclosporine) or mTOR inhibitors (sirolimus) may require dose reductions and level monitoring.
• Review all concomitant medicines to avoid strong CYP3A4 inducers or inhibitors.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Cresemba indication includes adults with invasive aspergillosis or mucormycosis confirmed or strongly suspected by specialists. It may not suit patients with familial short QT syndrome, a known azole hypersensitivity, or those taking contraindicated CYP3A4 modulators. No adjustment is generally needed for renal impairment. Use caution in significant liver disease, with periodic liver-function monitoring during therapy.

Cresemba oral therapy fits patients who can swallow capsules and continue treatment outside the hospital. The standard regimen is 372 mg every 8 hours for 6 doses, then 372 mg once daily. Two 186 mg capsules provide one 372 mg dose. Keep dosing consistent each day.

To manage Cresemba cost, consider a multi-month supply when appropriate. Bulk promotions can reduce the per-month price for longer courses. You can set a reminder to reorder in time, so your treatment is not interrupted. We ship to the US with prompt, express handling to reduce delays.

Authoritative Sources

Cresemba (isavuconazonium sulfate) US Prescribing Information

Health Canada Drug Product Database: Cresemba

FDA Label and Medication Guide for Cresemba

Order Cresemba® from YouDrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express, cold-chain handling.

This material is for educational purposes only and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional. Always follow your prescriber’s directions for diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring.