Generic name: micafungin [ mye-ka-FUN-jin ]
Drug class: Echinocandins

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 3, 2022.

Uses for micafungin

Micafungin injection is used to help the body overcome serious fungus infections, such as candidemia, acute disseminated candidiasis, candida peritonitis and abscess without meningoencephalitis or ocular dissemination, and esophageal candidiasis. Micafungin injection is also used to prevent candida infections in patients having a stem cell transplant.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using micafungin

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of micafungin injection to treat candidemia, acute disseminated candidiasis, candida peritonitis and abscess, esophageal candidiasis, and prevent candida infections with stem cell treatment in children 4 months of age and older.

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of micafungin injection to treat candidemia, acute disseminated candidiasis, candida peritonitis and abscess without meningoencephalitis or ocular dissemination in children younger than 4 months of age. However, safety and efficacy of micafungin infection have not been established for the treatment of candidemia with meningoencephalitis or ocular dissemination in children younger than 4 months of age.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of micafungin injection in the elderly.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Methotrexate

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Itraconazole
• Nifedipine
• Sirolimus

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Bleeding problems (eg, hemolysis or hemolytic anemia) or
• Kidney problems or
• Liver problems—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

Proper use of micafungin

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you or your child this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins. This medicine is given slowly, so the needle will have to remain in place for at least 1 hour.

Precautions while using micafungin

It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress closely to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause serious types of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you or your child have a rash, itching, swelling of the face, tongue, and throat, trouble breathing, or chest pain after you get the injection.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

This medicine may cause a rare but serious type of an allergic reaction called an infusion reaction. This can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child start to have difficulty with swallowing, dizziness, fast heartbeat, chest tightness, flushing, sweating, swelling in your face, hands, foot, or leg, lightheadedness or faintness while you are receiving this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects of micafungin

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Black, tarry, stools
• cough
• decreased frequency or amount of urine
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• fever or chills
• increased thirst
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• nausea or vomiting
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
• trouble breathing
• ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• weight gain

Less common

• Bone pain
• changes in skin color, pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
• chest pain
• drowsiness
• mood or mental changes
• muscle pain or cramps
• muscle spasms or twitching
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• seizures
• swollen glands
• trembling

Rare

• Abdominal or stomach cramps
• blurred vision
• dizziness
• headache
• nervousness
• pounding in the ears
• slow or fast heartbeat
• weakness or heaviness of the legs

Incidence not known

• Agitation
• back, leg, or stomach pain
• bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• bloody urine
• bruising
• dark urine
• diarrhea
• fast, weak pulse
• feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheaded
• flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
• general body swelling
• hives or itching
• hostility or irritability
• joint pain
• light-colored stools
• nosebleeds
• persistent bleeding or oozing from puncture sites, mouth, or nose
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• skin rash or redness
• sweating
• vomiting of blood
• yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Cold sweats
• cool, pale skin
• depression
• increased hunger
• nightmares
• slurred speech
• trouble sleeping
• welts

Less common

• Bluish color
• feeling unusually cold or shivering

Rare

• Belching
• change in taste
• confusion as to time, place, or person
• difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• hallucinations
• heartburn
• hiccups
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• stomach discomfort or upset
• unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer