Introduction
Posaconazole, launched in the UK, is the newest member of the class of antifungal agents to reach the market. It is indicated for the treatment and prophylaxis of a range of invasive fungal infections, including aspergillosis,fusariosis, chromoblastomycosis, mycetoma, and coccidiomycosis in patients who are refractory to, or intolerant of, standard therapy with amphotericin B and/or itraconazole. In the US, it is approved for the prophylaxis of invasive Aspergillus and Candida infections in patients 13 years of age who are at high risk of developing these infections due to being severely immunocompromised. Additionally, it is approved for the treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis. Posaconazole has an expanded spectrum of activity over other members of the antifungals. In addition to potent activity against refractory cases of aspergillosis and fluconazole-resistant Candida, it demonstrates activity against Zygomycetes.