The echinocandin micafungin: a review of the pharmacology, spectrum of activity, clinical efficacy and safety.
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.
Wiederhold
Nathan P
NP
University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, TX, USA. wiederholdn@uthscsa.edu
Lewis
James S
JS
D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000187:drug effects; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D025141:Drug Resistance, Fungal; D054714:Echinocandins; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D055666:Lipopeptides; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077551:Micafungin; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000378:metabolism
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D054714:Echinocandins; D055666:Lipopeptides; D008074:Lipoproteins; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; D047071:beta-Glucans; C033363:beta-1,3-glucan; D000077551:Micafungin