Echinocandins (Antifungal)

Question 1

What is the moa of Echinocandins?

How must all drugs in this family be given?

Answer 1

inhibit glucan synthesis in fungal cell wall by blocking beta 1,3 D-glucan synthase = fungicidal agent

All are IV only

Question 2

What are 3 common drugs in the Echinocandin family?

Answer 2

Caspofungin, Micafungin, Anidulafungin

• all 3 medications are essentially interchangeable in terms of spectrum of activity

Question 3

What form of killing occurs when Echinocandins are used to treat Candida infections?

Answer 3

bacteriCIDAL

Question 4

What form of killing occurs when Echinocandins are used to treat Aspergillus infections?

Answer 4

bacterioSTATIC

2nd-line treatment

Question 5

What is the first-line antifungal for severe Candida infections?

Answer 5

Echinocandins

Question 6

What two Candida species do Echinocandins cover that Fluconazole does NOT cover?

Answer 6

C. krusei and C. glabrata

Question 7

What 3 organisms due ALL Echinocandins not have activity against?

Answer 7

Cryptococcus, Zygomycetes, Fusarium