Echinocandins - Antifungal class Flashcards
(T/F) - Echinocandins are very well tolerated and have excellent activity against Candida
TRUE
(T/F) - Azoles compared to echinocandins have fewer drug interactions
FALSE - Echinocandins have less drug interactions than azoles
What is the MOA of echinocandins?
Inhibit the synthesis of beta 1,3-glucan, a component of the fungal cell wall
Echinocandins have a good spectrum in which fungal organisms?
- C. albicans
- C. tropicalis
- C. parapsilosis
- C. lusitaniae
- C. kresei
- C. glabrata
- Aspergillus
What are the drugs that fall in the echinocandin class?
- Micafungin
- Caspofungin
- Anidulafungin
What AEs can occur with echinocandins?
- Mild histamine-mediated infusion-related reactions
- Hepatotoxicity
How can mild histamine-mediated infusion-related reactions be reduced?
Slowing the infusion rate
What are the available formulations of echinocandins?
IV
Which echinocandin(s) are eliminated by non-CYP450 metabolims?
- Micafungin
- Caspofungin
Which echinocandin(s) degrades in the plasma and avoids hepatic metabolism?
Anidulafungin
(T/F) - Drug interactions are a major concern with echinocandins
FALSE
Caspofungin should be used with caution with what other drugs?
- Cyclosporine
- Rifampin
Micafungin should be used with caution with what other drugs?
Sirolimus
What is the drug of choice for echinocandins?
- Invasive candidiasis, specifically clinically unstable patients
- Invasive aspergillus
(T/F) - Level of evidence to use echinocandins for invasive aspergillus is favorable over voriconazole and amphotericin B
FALSE - voriconazole and amphotericin B are more favorable for those indications than echinocandins
(T/F) - Echinocandins can be very expensive
TRUE
Can echinocandins be used as an empiric therapy?
Yes, but once patient becomes stable switch to fluconazole ASAP if they have susceptible strain of Candida
