Pharmacokinetics, antifungal activity and clinical efficacy of anidulafungin in the treatment of fungal infections

Abstract

Importance of the field: Anidulafungin is one of three available intravenous echinocandins that plays an important role in the treatment of serious fungal infections. Currently, anidulafungin is approved for the treatment of esophageal candidiasis, candidemia and other invasive Candida infections including intra-abdominal abscesses and peritonitis.

Areas covered in this review: This paper covers a comprehensive review of anidulafungin.

What the reader will gain: The reader will be provided the most recent data available regarding the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, in vitro activity and clinical utility of anidulafungin for the treatment of serious fungal infections.

Take home message: Echinocandin antifungals, such as anidulafungin, are now considered first line for the treatment of candidemia and invasive candidiasis, particularly in critically ill patients or those who have previously received azole therapy. Anidulafungin has potent in vitro activity against Candida and Aspergillus species, predictable pharmacokinetics that does not require dosage adjustment, few drug interactions and is well tolerated. Because of these favorable characteristics, anidulafungin is an important addition to our antifungal armamentarium.

Keywords::

• anidulafungin
• Aspergillus species
• Candida species
• candidemia/candidiasis
• echinocandins
• pharmacokinetics