anidulafungin

Generic Name: anidulafungin (injection) (a nid yoo luh FUN jin)Brand Names: Eraxis

What is anidulafungin?

Anidulafungin is an antifungal antibiotic. It helps your body fight infection caused by a fungus.

Anidulafungin treats candida (yeast) infections in the blood, or in the stomach or esophagus.

Anidulafungin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about anidulafungin?

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver disease.

There may be other drugs that can affect anidulafungin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Stop using this medication and get emergency medical help if you think you have used too much medicine, or if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Less serious side effects are more likely, and you may have none at all. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or is especially bothersome.

Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before using anidulafungin?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to anidulafungin, or have certain conditions. Be sure your doctor knows if you have:

Before using anidulafungin, tell your doctor if you have liver disease. You may need a dosage adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether anidulafungin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How is anidulafungin given?

Use anidulafungin exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Anidulafungin is given as an injection into a vein. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to use your medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles, IV tubing, and other items used in giving the medicine.

Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Store anidulafungin at room temperature away from heat. Do not freeze.

After the medicine has been mixed, you must use it within 24 hours.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of an anidulafungin overdose are unknown.

What should I avoid while using anidulafungin?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using anidulafungin.

Anidulafungin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• feeling light-headed or faint; or

• confusion, weakness, dry mouth, or muscle tenderness.

Less serious side effects may include:

• hot flashes;

• diarrhea or constipation;

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain; or

• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Anidulafungin Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Esophageal Candidiasis:

Initial dose: 100 mg intravenously on day oneMaintenance dose: 50 mg intravenously daily thereafterDuration: Treatment should be given for a minimum of 14 days and for at least 7 days following resolution of symptoms.If the patient is infected with HIV, suppressive antifungal therapy may be considered after a course of treatment to minimize the risk of relapse.

Usual Adult Dose for Candidemia:

Candidemia and other forms of Candida infections (Intraabdominal abscess and peritonitis):Initial dose: 200 mg intravenously on day oneMaintenance dose: 100 mg intravenously daily thereafterDuration: Duration of treatment should be based on the patient's clinical response. In general, antifungal therapy should continue for at least 14 days after the last positive culture.

What other drugs will affect anidulafungin?

There may be other drugs that can affect anidulafungin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about anidulafungin written for health professionals that you may read.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.04. Revision Date: 4/12/2009 4:46:00 PM.