Medications for Systemic Fungal Infections

Medications for Systemic Fungal Infections

Medication

Uses

Potential Adverse Effects

Amphotericin BAmphotericin B

Most fungal infections

Conventional formulation: Acute infusion reactions, neuropathy, gastrointestinal (GI) upset, renal failure, anemia, thrombophlebitis, hearing loss, rash, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia

Lipid formulations: Infusion reactions*, renal failure*

AnidulafunginAnidulafungin

Invasive candidiasis, including candidemia

Hepatitis, diarrhea, hypokalemia, infusion reactions

CaspofunginCaspofungin

Invasive candidiasis, including candidemia

Phlebitis, headache, GI upset, rash

FluconazoleFluconazole

Mucosal and systemic candidiasis

Cryptococcal meningitis

Coccidioidal meningitis

GI upset, rash, hepatitis, QT prolongation

FlucytosineFlucytosine†

Candidiasis (systemic)

Cryptococcosis

Pancytopenia due to bone marrow toxicity, neuropathy, nausea, vomiting, hepatic and renal injury, colitis

Isavuconazonium sulfate (isavuconazole)‡ Isavuconazonium sulfate (isavuconazole)‡

Aspergillosis

Mucormycosis

Nausea, vomiting, hepatitis, QT shortening with no evidence of cardiac risk, infusion-related reactions

ItraconazoleItraconazole

Dermatomycosis

Histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, sporotrichosis, aspergillosis, chromoblastomycosis

Hepatitis, GI upset, rash, headache, dizziness, hallucinations, hypokalemia, hypertension, edema, QT prolongation, heart failure

MicafunginMicafungin

Invasive candidiasis, including candidemia

Phlebitis, hepatitis, rash, headache, nausea, acute intravascular hemolysis

Osteoconazole

Vulvovaginal candidiasis

Headache, nausea, indigestion, hot flushes, painful urination, heavy menstrual periods, vaginal irritation

Posaconazole§Posaconazole§

Aspergillosis

Mucormycosis

Prophylaxis for invasive fungal infection

Histoplasmosis

Hepatitis, GI upset, rash, QT prolongation

RezafunginRezafungin

Invasive candidiasis, including candidemia

Photosensitivity, abnormal liver tests, infusion-related reactions (flushing, sensation of warmth, urticaria, nausea, chest tightness)

VoriconazoleVoriconazole

Invasive aspergillosis

Candidiasis, including candidemia

Fusariosis

Scedosporiosis

GI upset, transient visual disturbances, peripheral edema, rash, hepatotoxicity, hallucinations, QT prolongation

* These adverse effects are less common with lipid formulations than with the conventional formulation.

Amphotericin B is used with flucytosine for serious † Amphotericin B is used with flucytosine for seriousCandida and cryptococcal infections.

‡ Isavuconazole is given as the prodrug isavuconazonium sulfate; 372 mg of ‡ Isavuconazole is given as the prodrug isavuconazonium sulfate; 372 mg ofisavuconazonium sulfate is equivalent to 200 mg of isavuconazole.

§ The delayed-release tablets, delayed-release oral suspension, and immediate-release oral suspension of posaconazole are NOT interchangeable because of differences in dosing.§ The delayed-release tablets, delayed-release oral suspension, and immediate-release oral suspension of posaconazole are NOT interchangeable because of differences in dosing.

* These adverse effects are less common with lipid formulations than with the conventional formulation.

Amphotericin B is used with flucytosine for serious † Amphotericin B is used with flucytosine for seriousCandida and cryptococcal infections.

‡ Isavuconazole is given as the prodrug isavuconazonium sulfate; 372 mg of ‡ Isavuconazole is given as the prodrug isavuconazonium sulfate; 372 mg ofisavuconazonium sulfate is equivalent to 200 mg of isavuconazole.

§ The delayed-release tablets, delayed-release oral suspension, and immediate-release oral suspension of posaconazole are NOT interchangeable because of differences in dosing.§ The delayed-release tablets, delayed-release oral suspension, and immediate-release oral suspension of posaconazole are NOT interchangeable because of differences in dosing.