Abstract
Micafungin is a relatively broad-spectrum antifungal agent available for clinical use in the US and Japan. By inhibiting the production of beta-1,3-glucan, an essential fungal cell wall component, micafungin has reduced toxicity to mammalian cells while maintaining potent antifungal activity against many pathogenic fungi including polyene- and azole-resistant isolates. Indeed, micafungin has been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of infections caused by Candida and Aspergillus species in clinical trials without the associated toxicities of amphotericin B formulations and drug interactions that occur with the azoles. In this review, the pharmacology, spectrum of activity, clinical efficacy and safety profile of micafungin are discussed.
MeSH terms
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Antifungal Agents / adverse effects
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Antifungal Agents / pharmacokinetics
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Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
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Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
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Aspergillosis / drug therapy*
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Aspergillus / drug effects
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Candida / drug effects
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Candidiasis / drug therapy*
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Drug Interactions
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Drug Resistance, Fungal
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Echinocandins
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Fungi / drug effects
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Humans
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Lipopeptides
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Lipoproteins / adverse effects
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Lipoproteins / pharmacokinetics
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Lipoproteins / pharmacology
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Lipoproteins / therapeutic use*
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Micafungin
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Microbial Sensitivity Tests
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Peptides, Cyclic / adverse effects
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Peptides, Cyclic / pharmacokinetics
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Peptides, Cyclic / pharmacology
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Peptides, Cyclic / therapeutic use*
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beta-Glucans / metabolism
Substances
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Antifungal Agents
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Echinocandins
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Lipopeptides
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Lipoproteins
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Peptides, Cyclic
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beta-Glucans
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beta-1,3-glucan
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Micafungin