anidulafungin at a glance
Medicine class
Echinocandin antifungal
Licensed use
Invasive candidiasis
How it is given
Intravenous infusion by healthcare professionals; not a bolus injection
Licensed age group
Adults and children from 1 month to under 18 years
What is anidulafungin used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Treatment of invasive candidiasis in adults.
Treatment of invasive candidiasis in children and adolescents aged 1 month to under 18 years.
How does anidulafungin work?
Anidulafungin blocks the fungal enzyme that produces beta-1,3-D-glucan, an essential structural component of the Candida cell wall. This weakens susceptible fungal cells; human cells do not contain this target.
anidulafungin preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 100 mg
How to take anidulafungin
Anidulafungin is prepared and diluted by healthcare professionals, then given through a vein as a controlled infusion. It must not be injected rapidly as a bolus.
Tell staff immediately about itching, flushing, rash, breathing difficulty, dizziness or light-headedness during the infusion.
Do not attempt to prepare, mix or administer the product yourself.
The prepared solution should be checked for particles or discolouration before use.
anidulafungin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea or nausea
- Low blood potassium
- Headache or vomiting
- Raised or lowered blood pressure
- Raised blood glucose
- Rash or itching
- Changes in liver or kidney blood tests
- Breathlessness or bronchospasm
Get urgent medical advice
- Anaphylaxis: breathing difficulty, wheezing, swelling, widespread hives, collapse or severe dizziness
- A significant infusion reaction, including rash, flushing, breathing difficulty or low blood pressure
- A seizure
- Symptoms suggesting liver injury, such as jaundice or dark urine
anidulafungin in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are unavailable, and animal studies found reproductive toxicity. Anidulafungin is not recommended during pregnancy unless the expected maternal benefit clearly outweighs the potential fetal risk, so treatment requires specialist assessment.
anidulafungin while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether anidulafungin enters human milk, and risk to a breastfed child cannot be excluded. The specialist team should weigh the benefit of breastfeeding against the clinical need for treatment and decide whether breastfeeding or anidulafungin should be interrupted.
anidulafungin interactions
Anidulafungin has a relatively low potential for cytochrome P450 interactions, but the full medicines list should still be reviewed.
Anaesthetic agents
Animal findings suggest anaesthesia may intensify infusion reactions; the clinical relevance is uncertain, so additional care is advised.
Ciclosporin, tacrolimus or voriconazole
Adult interaction studies did not show a clinically important pharmacokinetic interaction.
Amphotericin B or rifampicin
Adult studies did not identify a clinically important effect on anidulafungin exposure.
Common questions about anidulafungin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is anidulafungin an antibiotic or an antifungal?
It is an echinocandin antifungal. It acts against susceptible fungi, particularly Candida, rather than bacteria.
Does anidulafungin treat ordinary mouth or vaginal thrush?
Its licence is for invasive candidiasis affecting the blood or internal organs, not routine superficial thrush.
Can anidulafungin be taken by mouth?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.