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Overview: Micafungin is an intravenous (IV) medicine used to treat or prevent certain candida fungal infections. Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fever, and headache. Serious side effects are less likely but may include liver or kidney damage or infusion reactions. Notify your health care provider right away if you develop a rash or feel unusually weak or tired while using micafungin.

Uses

What is micafungin used for?

Micafungin is an antifungal medicine commonly used to treat certain candida fungal infections (candidiasis), including infections in your blood, belly, or throat. Micafungin is also commonly used to prevent candida infections in certain people.

Micafungin may not be the right drug for some of the infections listed above, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Fungi in some locations may have developed resistance to micafungin, which will make it not work as well.

Micafungin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does micafungin work (mechanism of action)?

Micafungin is an antifungal medicine that kills certain types of fungi by disrupting their cell structure.

How is micafungin supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Mycamine

Dosage forms and strengths

Micafungin is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

How should I store micafungin?

Micafungin is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. If you will store micafungin at home, follow the instructions given by your health care provider.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of micafungin?

The most common side effects of micafungin are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the age of the person using the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain
  • Fever
  • Anemia, low white blood cell levels (neutropenia), or low platelet levels (thrombocytopenia)
  • Headache
  • Infection
  • Low blood oxygen
  • Low potassium levels
  • Acidosis (too much acid in the blood)

There may be other side effects of micafungin that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of micafungin?

While less common, the most serious side effects of micafungin are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Micafungin may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using micafungin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Blood Disorders. Micafungin may cause your red blood cells to be destroyed, which can lead to hemolytic anemia and hemoglobinuria. Your health care provider may run tests or stop micafungin if you have any of these blood disorders. Tell your health care provider if you notice your pee is red or brown in color. 

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when using micafungin. Keep all appointments, including for lab tests, while you are using micafungin. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when taking micafungin. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.

  • Reduced need to pee
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Seizures

Infusion Reactions. Micafungin can cause reactions that can be serious when it is given to you. Your infusion may need to be slowed or stopped if you have these reactions. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms when you get your infusion.

  • Rash
  • Itching
  • Facial swelling
  • Inflamed blood vessels

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use micafungin?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use micafungin.

  • Micafungin
  • Mycamine
  • Any other medicine known as an echinocandin
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific micafungin products they stock.

What should I know about micafungin before using it?

Micafungin is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using micafungin?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if micafungin is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Micafungin may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using micafungin, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Micafungin may cause harm to a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if micafungin passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use micafungin while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does micafungin interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between micafungin and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect micafungin, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infection.

Does micafungin interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using micafungin.

  • Sirolimus, which is a medicine that suppresses your immune system
  • Nifedipine, which is a medicine used for high blood pressure or other conditions
  • Itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), which is another medicine used for fungal infections

Micafungin may alter the blood levels of some other medicines. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with micafungin. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much micafungin?

If you or someone else has used too much micafungin, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of micafungin?

Micafungin is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving micafungin as scheduled. If you miss an appointment to get your micafungin dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.