micafungin

Generic Name: micafungin (MYE ka FUN jen)
Brand names: Mycamine

What is micafungin?

Micafungin is an antifungal antibiotic.

Micafungin is used to treat infections caused by the Candida fungus. Micafungin is also used to prevent Candida fungal infections in stem cell transplant patients.

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

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

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to micafungin.

Before using micafungin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have liver or kidney disease.

Before receiving micafungin, tell your doctor if you are also using sirolimus (Rapamune), itraconazole (Sporanox), or nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia).

Micafungin is given as an injection through a needle placed 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.

You may need to receive this medication for several weeks.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving micafungin?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to micafungin.

Before using micafungin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• liver disease; or
• kidney disease.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely receive 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 micafungin 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 micafungin given?

Micafungin is given as an injection through a needle placed 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.

You will need to mix micafungin with a liquid (diluent) before using it. If you are using the injections at home, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medication.

Micafungin must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and each injection can take at least 1 hour to complete. Do not mix micafungin with any other medicines, or give other medicines through the same IV line.

Micafungin is usually given once daily. You may need to receive this medication for several weeks.

Do not shake the medicine bottle (vial). Vigorous shaking can ruin the medicine. Do not mix your micafungin dose into an IV bag until you are ready to give yourself an injection. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has any particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription. After mixing this medicine, do not expose it to light. Cover the IV bag during your infusion to protect the medicine from light. Use the medicine within 24 hours after mixing.

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.

If you store micafungin at home, keep it at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Mixed medicine can be stored at room temperature but must be used within 24 hours after mixing.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a micafungin overdose are not known.

What should I avoid while using micafungin?

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

Micafungin 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 a serious side effect such as:

• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, confusion or weakness;

• stomach pain, itching, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

• easy bruising or bleeding;

• urinating less than usual or not at all;

• drowsiness, mood changes, increased thirst, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting;

• uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling; or

• swelling of your hands or feet.

Less serious side effects may include:

• warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin;

• mild nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain;

• diarrhea, constipation, indigestion;

• headache;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• mild itching or skin rash; or

• pain, swelling, or tenderness where the medicine was injected.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect micafungin?

The following drugs can interact with micafungin. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:

• sirolimus (Rapamune);

• itraconazole (Sporanox); or

• nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with micafungin. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about micafungin.

• 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: 1.03. Revision Date: 02/12/2008 2:47:15 PM.

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