Drug Nomenclature
Adverse Effects and Precautions
As for Caspofungin. Dose adjustments are not required in patients with hepatic or renal impairment.
Interactions
Few drug interactions are expected with anidulafungin, as it is not metabolised by the hepatic cytochrome P450 system and almost no renal clearance occurs.
Antimicrobial Action
As for Caspofungin.
Pharmacokinetics
Steady state plasma concentrations of anidulafungin are achieved after the first loading dose systemic clearance is about 1 litre/hour and the terminal elimination half-life is 40 to 50 hours. Anidulafungin is 84% bound to plasma proteins and the volume of distribution is 30 to 50 litres. It is not metabolised, but undergoes slow chemical degradation to inactive peptide degradants. Less than 10% of the intact drug is eliminated in the faeces and less than 1 % is excreted in the urine.
Uses and Administration
Anidulafungin is an echinocandin antifungal active against Aspergillus and Candida spp. It is used in the treatment of candidaemia, oesophageal candidiasis, and other forms of invasive candidiasis. Anidulafungin is given by intravenous infusion, the rate of which should not exceed 1.1 mg/minute. For candidaemia and other invasive candidiasis a loading dose of 200 mg is given on the first day followed by 100 mg daily thereafter. For oesophageal candidiasis the loading dose is 100 mg followed by 50 mg daily.
Proprietary Preparations
Czech Republic: Ecalta
Portugal: Ecalta
UK: Ecalta
USA: Eraxis