Anidulafungin: review of a new echinocandin antifungal agent.
Anidulafungin (Vicuron Pharmaceuticals) is a new echinocandin antifungal with potent activity against Aspergillus and Candida spp. Anidulafungin is a noncompetitive inhibitor of (1,3)-beta-D-glucan synthase within fungal cells. The drug is rapidly distributed and steady-state concentrations are achieved after the first dose, when a loading dose of twice the daily maintenance dose is given on day 1. Drug biotransformation occurs via chemical degradation, with no hepatic metabolism or renal elimination. A favorable pharmacokinetic profile and lack of significant drug interactions suggest that patients can receive anidulafungin without dosage adjustments. These characteristics, in addition to comparable efficacy to fluconazole (Diflucan, Pfizer Ltd) in the treatment of esophageal candidiasis, support further investigation of its use in the treatment of systemic fungal infections caused by Candida and Aspergillus spp.
University of North Carolina School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7360, USA. ralph_raasch@unc.edu.
Ralph H
RH
Raasch
D000077612:Anidulafungin; D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001711:Biotransformation; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004347:Drug Interactions; D054714:Echinocandins; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D009181:Mycoses / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D054714:Echinocandins; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; D000077612:Anidulafungin