A once-weekly antifungal drip for serious candida infections
Rezafungin
An antifungal drip from the echinocandin group, given once a week to treat serious invasive candida infections.
What is Rezafungin?
Rezafungin is a specialist antifungal medicine used in hospital to treat serious invasive candida (yeast) infections, including those in the bloodstream. It belongs to a group called echinocandins and is given as a drip into a vein. What makes it different from older echinocandins is that it is long-acting, so it can be given once a week rather than every day. It is generally well tolerated; the main things watched for are infusion-related reactions and a rise in liver enzymes. It is used under specialist infection guidance.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Rezafungin — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Rezafungin is an antifungal medicine used to treat serious, invasive infections caused by candida, a type of yeast, including infections of the bloodstream and deep tissues. It belongs to the echinocandin group of antifungals. It is given as a drip into a vein in hospital. Its distinctive feature is that it lasts a long time in the body, so it is given once a week instead of daily, which can make treatment simpler. It is used under the guidance of specialists in infection or microbiology.
How it works
Rezafungin works by blocking the building of the candida cell wall, the protective outer layer the yeast needs to survive. Without a proper cell wall the fungal cells cannot hold together and die, which clears the infection. Because human cells do not have this kind of cell wall, echinocandins like rezafungin tend to be well tolerated. Rezafungin is designed to stay active in the body for a long time, which is why it can be given just once a week while still keeping enough medicine present to fight the infection.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A specialist hospital antifungal used in the UK to treat serious invasive candida (yeast) infections.
Practical use
How to take Rezafungin
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- It is given as a drip into a vein in hospital, usually once a week, by a trained team.
- It is given slowly with observation so any infusion reaction can be picked up.
- Blood tests are done to check liver function during treatment.
- It is used under specialist infection guidance, with the antifungal chosen to match the infection.
- Tell the team if you feel flushed, develop a rash or feel unwell during the infusion.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Rezafungin
Advantages
- Treats serious invasive candida infections, including in the bloodstream.
- Given once a week rather than daily, which can simplify treatment.
- Generally well tolerated, as it targets the fungal cell wall rather than human cells.
Disadvantages
- Can cause infusion-related reactions such as flushing or rash, so it is given slowly with observation.
- Can raise liver enzymes, so liver blood tests are needed.
- Given only as a hospital drip under specialist guidance, not as tablets at home.
Practical use
Good to know
The most useful thing to know about rezafungin is that it is generally well tolerated and is given as a once-weekly drip, which is more convenient than the daily dosing of older echinocandins. The main things the team watches for are reactions during or shortly after the infusion, such as flushing, rash or feeling unwell, which is why it is given slowly with observation, and a rise in liver enzymes seen on blood tests, so liver function is checked. It is used for serious infections, so it is given in hospital under specialist infection advice, and the choice of antifungal depends on the type of candida and the test results. It is not a medicine taken at home as tablets.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to rezafungin or similar echinocandins should not be given it.
- It is used with care in people with liver problems, with monitoring of liver function.
- It is used under specialist infection guidance, with the antifungal matched to the infection and test results.
Monitoring
- Observation during and after each infusion for reactions.
- Blood tests for liver function during treatment.
- Reviewing how the infection responds and adjusting treatment as needed.
Side effects
- Infusion-related reactions such as flushing, rash or feeling unwell during the drip.
- Raised liver enzymes seen on blood tests.
- Nausea, diarrhoea or headache in some people.
- Less commonly, other reactions, which the team monitors for during treatment.
Key interactions
- It has relatively few important medicine interactions compared with some antifungals, but tell the team all your medicines.
- Other medicines that can affect the liver are taken into account when monitoring liver function.
- The team considers your other treatments when planning the infusion.
Available as: A powder made up into a solution given as a drip into a vein in hospital.
Answers
Rezafungin: frequently asked questions
What is rezafungin used for?
It is used in hospital to treat serious invasive candida (yeast) infections, including those in the bloodstream, by attacking the fungal cell wall.
Why is it given only once a week?
Rezafungin stays active in the body for a long time, so it can be given once a week while keeping enough medicine present to fight the infection.
Is it well tolerated?
Generally yes. The main things watched for are reactions during the infusion and a rise in liver enzymes, which blood tests are designed to catch.
How is it given?
It is given as a drip into a vein in hospital by a trained team, slowly and with observation for any infusion reaction.
Can I take it as tablets at home?
No. It is a hospital drip used for serious infections under specialist guidance, not a tablet taken at home.
The wider class
About Echinocandin antifungal (intravenous)
Rezafungin belongs to the echinocandin antifungal (intravenous) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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