From the Guidelines
Cresemba is the brand name for isavuconazole, an antifungal medication used to treat serious fungal infections, specifically invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis, as recommended by recent guidelines 1.
Key Points
- Cresemba works by inhibiting the synthesis of ergosterol, an essential component of fungal cell membranes, causing the fungal cells to become unstable and die.
- The medication is typically administered first as an intravenous infusion (200 mg every 8 hours for 6 doses), followed by either continued IV therapy or oral capsules (200 mg once daily) 1.
- Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and elevated liver enzymes.
- Patients should be aware that Cresemba can interact with many other medications, so it's essential to inform healthcare providers about all current medications.
- Regular monitoring of liver function is typically recommended during treatment with this medication.
Administration and Monitoring
- The dosage and administration of Cresemba may vary depending on the specific fungal infection being treated and the patient's individual needs.
- Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is not routinely recommended for isavuconazonium sulfate, as studies have not defined a therapeutic range for this medication 1.
- However, TDM may be considered for other antifungal medications, such as posaconazole, voriconazole, and itraconazole, to ensure adequate plasma drug concentrations and reduce toxicity.
Recent Guidelines and Recommendations
- Recent guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America and other organizations recommend the use of Cresemba as a primary therapy for invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis, due to its efficacy and safety profile 1.
- The guidelines also emphasize the importance of early initiation of antifungal therapy, surgical debridement, and combination therapy in certain cases to improve patient outcomes.
From the FDA Drug Label
CRESEMBA contains isavuconazonium sulfate, which is the prodrug of isavuconazole, an azole antifungal drug
- Cresemba is a medication that contains isavuconazonium sulfate, which is a prodrug of isavuconazole, an azole antifungal drug 2
- It is available in different forms, including capsules and injection, for oral and intravenous administration, respectively
- The medication is used to treat certain fungal infections, but the specific indications are not mentioned in the provided text 2
From the Research
Definition of Cresemba
- Cresemba is the brand name for isavuconazonium sulfate, a water-soluble prodrug of isavuconazole 3.
- It is available in interchangeable intravenous and oral formulations 3.
Approval and Indications
- Cresemba is approved in the USA and EU for the treatment of adults with invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis 3, 4, 5, 6.
- It is used to treat life-threatening fungal infections, including invasive mould diseases 3, 7.
Properties and Characteristics
- Isavuconazole, the active ingredient in Cresemba, is a second-generation triazole with a broad spectrum of activity against clinically important fungi 3, 4, 6.
- It has predictable pharmacokinetics, excellent bioavailability, and no food effect with the oral formulation 3.
- Cresemba has a favorable safety profile with fewer drug-related treatment-emergent adverse events compared to other antifungal agents 3, 7.