Micafungin is an antifungal medication that fights infections caused by fungus.

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 is for use in adults and children who are at least 4 months old.

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

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Micafungin is usually given once daily for up to several weeks. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use micafungin in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Micafungin is injected into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use an IV at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.

Do not shake the medication bottle or you may ruin the medicine. Prepare your dose only when you are ready to give an injection. Do not use if the medicine has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Micafungin must be mixed 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 medicine.

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.

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.

If a child is using this medication, tell your doctor if the child has any changes in weight. Micafungin doses are based on weight in children.

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.

Each single-use vial (bottle) of this medicine is for one use only. Throw away after one use, even if there is still some medicine left in it after injecting your dose.

Store 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.

Usual Adult Dose for Esophageal Candidiasis:

150 mg IV once a day

Comments:
-In patients treated successfully, the mean duration of therapy was 15 days (range: 10 to 30 days).

Use: For treatment of esophageal candidiasis

Usual Adult Dose for Fungal Infection Prophylaxis:

50 mg IV once a day

Comments:
-In hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients who had successful prophylactic therapy, the mean duration of prophylaxis was 19 days (range: 6 to 51 days).

Use: For prophylaxis of Candida infections in patients undergoing HSCT

Usual Adult Dose for Candidemia:

100 mg IV once a day

Comments:
-In patients treated successfully, the mean duration of therapy was 15 days (range: 10 to 47 days).

Uses: For treatment of candidemia, acute disseminated candidiasis, Candida peritonitis and abscesses

Usual Pediatric Dose for Esophageal Candidiasis:

4 months or older:
-Weight 30 kg or less: 3 mg/kg IV once a day
-Weight greater than 30 kg: 2.5 mg/kg IV once a day
---Maximum dose: 150 mg/day

Use: For treatment of esophageal candidiasis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Fungal Infection Prophylaxis:

4 months or older: 1 mg/kg IV once a day
Maximum dose: 50 mg/day

Use: For prophylaxis of Candida infections in patients undergoing HSCT

Usual Pediatric Dose for Candidemia:

Younger than 4 months: 4 mg/kg IV once a day
4 months or older: 2 mg/kg IV once a day
-Maximum dose: 100 mg/day

Comments:
-Safety and efficacy have not been established for the treatment of candidemia with meningoencephalitis and/or ocular dissemination in pediatric patients younger than 4 months as a higher dose may be needed.

Uses:
-Pediatric patients younger than 4 months: For treatment of candidemia, acute disseminated candidiasis, Candida peritonitis and abscesses without meningoencephalitis and/or ocular dissemination
-Pediatric patients 4 months or older: For treatment of candidemia, acute disseminated candidiasis, Candida peritonitis and abscesses

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to micafungin or similar medicines such as caspofungin (Cancidas) or anidulafungin (Eraxis).

To make sure you can safely use micafungin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• liver disease; or

• kidney disease.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether micafungin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

It is not known whether micafungin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of micafungin.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; feeling like you might pass out; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Micafungin may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

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

• swelling, rapid weight gain, little or no urinating; or

• upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of micafungin may include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling); or

• mild itching or rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Other drugs may interact with micafungin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.