Vivjoa Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Vivjoa Capsule (oteseconazole) is a prescription azole antifungal used to reduce the chance of recurrent vaginal yeast infections in women with a history of this condition who are not pregnant and cannot become pregnant. It works by blocking an enzyme the yeast needs to build its cell membrane, stopping fungal growth. Vivjoa is taken by mouth on a specific weekly schedule set by a doctor, and it must not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

What is Vivjoa Capsule

Vivjoa is a prescription antifungal capsule used to reduce the chance of getting vaginal yeast infections that keep coming back. It is only for women who are not pregnant and who cannot become pregnant.

Vivjoa Capsule uses

• Reduces the chance of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC), a condition of repeated vaginal yeast infections, in women with a history of RVVC who are not able to become pregnant.

Benefits of Vivjoa Capsule

• Helps reduce recurrent vaginal yeast infections.
• Lowers the chance of repeated infections.
• Provides an oral antifungal treatment option.
• Helps prevent recurrence in eligible patients.
• Offers a longer-term prevention regimen.

How Vivjoa Capsule works

Vivjoa blocks an enzyme the yeast needs to build its cell membrane, which stops the fungus from growing.

Vivjoa Capsule dosage

Take the capsules by mouth with food. Swallow the capsules whole; do not chew, crush, dissolve, or open them. Follow the specific schedule your doctor gives you, since there are two different dosing plans (one using Vivjoa alone, and one combined with fluconazole). If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember; if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one and do not double up. Vivjoa is not known to be safe or effective in girls who have not yet started their periods.

Available forms and strengths

• 150 mg oral capsule

Side effects of Vivjoa Capsule

Common

• Headache
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue

Serious

• Hives
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Increased blood creatine phosphokinase (a muscle enzyme)
• Indigestion
• Hot flashes
• Burning or discomfort with urination
• Heavy menstrual bleeding lasting more than 7 days
• Vulvovaginal irritation (burning, discomfort, or pain)
• Sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights
• Fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in the chest, shortness of breath, sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out
• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors

Warnings and precautions

Vivjoa must not be used by women who are pregnant or could become pregnant, because it may harm an unborn baby. Vivjoa can cause harm to a developing baby, and the drug can stay in the body for a very long time (about 690 days), so it cannot be safely used even if pregnancy is only being planned for later. Animal studies found eye problems such as cataracts, clouding, bulging eyes, and nerve or retina damage in the offspring of treated animals.

Vivjoa must not be used while breastfeeding; it is not known if it passes into breast milk, and it may pose risks to a nursing infant.

Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems before starting Vivjoa. No dose change is needed for mild to severe kidney impairment.

Tell your doctor if you have liver problems before starting Vivjoa. No dose change is needed for mild or moderate liver impairment; severe liver impairment has not been studied.

It is not known whether drinking alcohol affects this medicine.

Taking Vivjoa with certain other drugs, including the cholesterol medicine rosuvastatin, may raise the levels of those drugs in your body and increase their side effects.

Storage

• Store Vivjoa at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
• It can be exposed to temperatures between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it.
• Store in a cool, dry place.
• Protect capsules from light when they are removed from the outer carton.
• Keep Vivjoa and all medicines out of the reach of children.

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you have hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or other serious side effects listed for this medicine.
• Seek emergency medical care or call for emergency help right away if you have sudden vision changes, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
• Seek emergency medical care right away if you have a fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, or sudden dizziness or fainting.
• Seek emergency medical care right away if you have a severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, weakness in an arm or leg, trouble walking, loss of coordination, very stiff muscles, high fever, heavy sweating, or tremors.
• If you think you or someone else has taken too much Vivjoa, get medical help right away or contact a poison control center.

Alternatives

• Miconazole
• Clotrimazole
• Fluconazole