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
