ATC Group: J02AX Other antimycotics for systemic use

Anidulafungin is a semi-synthetic echinocandin, a lipopeptide synthesised from a fermentation product of Aspergillus nidulans. Anidulafungin selectively inhibits 1,3-β-D glucan synthase, an enzyme present in fungal, but not mammalian cells.

Caspofungin acetate is a semi-synthetic lipopeptide (echinocandin) compound synthesised from a fermentation product of Glarea lozoyensis. Caspofungin acetate inhibits the synthesis of beta (1,3)-D-glucan, an essential component of the cell wall of many filamentous fungi and yeast. Beta (1,3)-D-glucan is not present in mammalian cells.

Flucytosine is a fluorinated pyrimidine derivative. It is an antimycotic agent exerting fungistatic and fungicidal activity by interfering with protein and DNA synthesis. Fluorodeoxyuridine interferes with the enzyme thymidylate synthase. Inhibition of thymidylate synthase subsequently causes disruption of DNA synthesis.

Micafungin non-competitively inhibits the synthesis of 1,3-β-D-glucan, an essential component of the fungal cell wall. 1,3-β-D-glucan is not present in mammalian cells. Micafungin exhibits fungicidal activity against most Candida species and prominently inhibits actively growing hyphae of Aspergillus species.

Rezafungin selectively inhibits fungal 1,3-β-D-glucan synthase. This results in inhibition of the formation of 1,3-β-D-glucan, an essential component of the fungal cell wall which is not present in mammalian cells. Inhibition of 1,3-β-D-glucan synthesis results in rapid and concentration-dependent fungicidal activity in Candida species (spp.).