Anidulafungin is an antifungal medication effective against Candida and Aspergillus. It comes in the form of a solution for injection and is usually recommended in cases of severe fungal infections requiring hospitalization. This can be of particular concern to immunocompromised patients who may develop aggressive infections, because their bodies cannot fight the fungus off. Patients can receive a large bolus dose initially, followed by maintenance doses to kill remaining fungal growth.
This drug works by interrupting the processes involved in cell wall synthesis. Fungi cannot function without adequate cell walls and start to break apart and die. Several doses are required to ensure that multiple generations of fungus are thoroughly addressed so the organism cannot come back. Delivering the anidulafungin by injection allows it to start acting quickly in the body.
Patients on this medication may develop side effects like nausea, diarrhea, and fever. Some experience allergic reactions, and it is important to discuss allergy history in case a past reaction is a risk factor for another one. Severe side effects can include liver impairment and cardiac disorders. If the patient is already in the hospital for care, nurses can monitor for signs of serious side effects and provide appropriate interventions. Bad reactions to anidulafungin are usually grounds to transition to a different medication for safety.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women may need to exercise caution with anidulafungin. Not enough data is available to determine if the medication is safe for developing fetuses or breastfeeding infants. A severe fungal infection could threaten a pregnancy, in which case the potential benefits of the medication may outweigh the risks, but this should be evaluated on a case by case basis. If adverse side effects do occur, they can be reported to a central drug database, which records this data and uses it in the development of safety recommendations.
Before patients take anidulafungin, they can ask why the medication is being recommended and if there are available alternatives. This can be a concern for patients who have reacted badly to antifungal medications before, as they may want to make sure the medication is safe. Detailed patient charts should record any history of allergies or adverse experiences on drugs, but they aren’t always complete; it can be advisable to confirm that a doctor is aware of specific items in a patient’s history that might be cause for concern. Alert patients can reduce the risk of a preventable complication or bad reaction.
