Anidulafungin: a new echinocandin for candidal infections

Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2007 Feb;5(1):45-52. doi: 10.1586/14787210.5.1.45.

Abstract

Anidulafungin, a new echinocandin, has recently been approved for the treatment of esophageal candidiasis, candidemia and other forms of invasive candidiasis, such as peritonitis and intra-abdominal abscesses in non-neutropenic patients. It is fungicidal against Candida spp. including those that are azole- and polyene-resistant and fungistatic against Aspergillus spp. Owing to its poor oral bioavailability it can only be administered intravenously. Its pharmacokinetics allow for once-daily dosing and a steady state concentration is easily achieved on day 2 following a loading dose of double the maintenance dose on day 1. It does not need adjustment for hepatic or renal insufficiency; there are no known drug interactions and it has a favorable tolerability profile. Its mechanism of action, which differs from other classes of antifungals, should prevent cross-resistance with azoles and polyenes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anidulafungin
  • Animals
  • Candidiasis / blood
  • Candidiasis / drug therapy*
  • Drugs, Investigational / chemistry
  • Drugs, Investigational / pharmacokinetics
  • Drugs, Investigational / therapeutic use*
  • Echinocandins
  • Fungal Proteins / chemistry
  • Fungal Proteins / pharmacokinetics
  • Fungal Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Peptides, Cyclic / chemistry
  • Peptides, Cyclic / pharmacokinetics
  • Peptides, Cyclic / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Drugs, Investigational
  • Echinocandins
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • Anidulafungin
  • echinocandin B