Micafungin

M

Pronunciation: MYE-ka-FUN-jin
Generic Name: Micafungin
Brand Name: Mycamine
Micafungin is used for:

Treating certain fungal infections. It is also used to prevent certain fungal infections in patients undergoing stem cell transplantation.

Micafungin is an antifungal agent. It works by killing sensitive fungi.

Do NOT use Micafungin if: you are allergic to any ingredient in Micafungin or to any similar medicines (eg, caspofungin)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Micafungin:

Some medical conditions may interact with Micafungin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances if you have HIV, a weakened immune system, or cancer if you have a history of liver or kidney problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Micafungin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Itraconazole, nifedipine, or sirolimus because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Micafungin

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Micafungin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Micafungin:

Use Micafungin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Micafungin is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Micafungin at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Micafungin. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions. Do not use Micafungin if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged. Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal. If you miss a dose of Micafungin, contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Micafungin.

Important safety information: Micafungin may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Micafungin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it. Micafungin may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills. Micafungin may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools. Diabetes patients - Micafungin may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine. Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, and complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Micafungin. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments. Micafungin should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed. PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Micafungin while you are pregnant. It is not known if Micafungin is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Micafungin, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby. Possible side effects of Micafungin:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; headache; nausea; stomach pain; trouble sleeping; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); anxiety; blood in the urine; change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; confusion; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; muscle pain, weakness, or cramps; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; redness, tenderness, pain, or swelling near the injection site; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness or headache; shortness of breath; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; symptoms of high blood sugar (eg, flushing, increased thirst or urination, rapid breathing, unusual drowsiness); symptoms of low blood sugar (eg, anxiety, dizziness, drowsiness, fast heartbeat, headache, light-headedness, tremors, unusual sweating, weakness); symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine; pale stools; severe stomach pain; unusual nausea or loss of appetite; yellowing of the skin or eyes); unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Micafungin side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Micafungin:

Micafungin is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Micafungin at home, store Micafungin as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Micafungin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information: If you have any questions about Micafungin, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Micafungin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people. If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Micafungin. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012 Database Edition 12.1.1.002 Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. More Micafungin resources Micafungin Side Effects (in more detail)Micafungin Use in Pregnancy & BreastfeedingMicafungin Drug InteractionsMicafungin Support Group0 Reviews for Micafungin - Add your own review/rating micafungin Intravenous Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information Micafungin Sodium Monograph (AHFS DI) Mycamine Prescribing Information (FDA) Mycamine Consumer Overview Compare Micafungin with other medications Candida Infections, SystemicEsophageal CandidiasisFungal Infection Prophylaxis

Micafungin

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