Anidulafungin
Description
Anidulafungin is an antifungal medicine. It is used to treat fungal infections of the blood or other internal organs like the oesophagus (food pipe) and stomach. The medicine works by preventing the development of the fungal cell wall (protective covering), thus stopping the growth of the fungi.
Anidulafungin may cause side effects like nausea, diarrhoea, headache, vomiting, and low blood potassium levels. You may also notice some injection site reactions like pain, swelling, or redness. Inform your doctor if these side effects persist or worsen.
Anidulafungin is administered by a healthcare professional in a hospital or clinical setting. Do not self administer this medicine. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Your doctor may monitor your liver function regularly during treatment with this medicine.
Anidulafungin is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you have liver problems or other health conditions and also about your ongoing medications before receiving this injection. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Anidulafungin
- Seizures
- Itching and skin rash
- Low blood potassium
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Abnormal liver function
- Kidney Impairment
- Changes in blood pressure
- Altered blood glucose levels
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Stomach pain
- Pain at injection site
- Muscle pain and cramps
- Dry mouth
Uses of Anidulafungin
What is it prescribed for?
- Oesophageal Candidiasis
- Candidemia
- Invasive Candidiasis
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for Anidulafungin to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which Anidulafungin remains effective in your body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Anidulafungin.
- Usage in pregnancy?Anidulafungin is not recommended for use during pregnancy, as animal studies indicate that it may harm the developing foetus. Hence, consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Anidulafungin is not recommended for use while breastfeeding unless necessary, as it is not known if this medicine passes into the breastmilk. Consult your doctor before receiving this medicine.
Allergy
Anidulafungin is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Serious allergic reactions to this medicine are rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Anidulafungin is not recommended for use during pregnancy, as animal studies indicate that it may harm the developing foetus. Hence, consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
Anidulafungin is not recommended for use while breastfeeding unless necessary, as it is not known if this medicine passes into the breastmilk. Consult your doctor before receiving this medicine.
General warnings
Use in children
Anidulafungin is not recommended for use in children less than one month of age as the safety and efficacy data are not clinically established.
Other medicines
Anidulafungin may affect or get affected by other medicines that you take. Hence, inform your doctor about all your current medications, including herbs and supplements, to avoid undesired effects.
Missed Dose
Anidulafungin is usually administered in the hospital/clinical setting. Hence, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low. If you miss a scheduled appointment for a dose of this medicine, contact your doctor immediately for further instructions.
Overdose
As Anidulafungin is administered in the hospital/clinical setting, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, if an overdose is suspected, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by your doctor.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Disease interactions
Liver Disease
Anidulafungin should be used with caution if you have liver problems as this medicine may further worsen your condition. Your doctor may monitor your liver functions regularly while you are on treatment with this medicine.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Anidulafungin is administered in a hospital/clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional.
Follow all instructions given by your doctor. Inform your doctor if you have an allergy to this medicine.
Inform your doctor about your ongoing medications or other medical conditions you have before receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Anidulafungin interferes with the formation of a vital component of the fungal cell wall (the protective covering of the fungi). Thus it stops the growth of the fungi.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Echinocandins
Schedule
Schedule H
Medicines.org.uk. 2022. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 28 February 2022].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2022. DailyMed - ERAXIS- anidulafungin injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 28 February 2022].
Information on this page was last updated on 1 Mar 2022
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.