Antifungal Rx Approved to Treat Serious Infections

Cresemba, from Astellas, approved to treat invasive aspergillosis and invasive mucormycosis by FDA

(RxWiki News) A newly approved medication targets two potentially deadly fungal infections.

Cresemba (isavuconazonium sulfate) targets the cell walls of the fungi invasive aspergillosis and invasive mucormycosis. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it today.

While these two fungal infections are relatively rare, they can be serious — even deadly — especially because they often occur in people with weakened immune systems.

“Today’s approval provides a new treatment option for patients with serious fungal infections and underscores the importance of having available safe and effective antifungal drugs,” said Edward Cox, MD, director of the Office of Antimicrobial Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, in a press release.

The FDA approved Cresemba after is appeared safe and effective in two studies of its effects on more than 500 patients. Patients in these studies experienced side effects like headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, coughing and swelling, among others.

Astellas Pharma markets Cresemba.

Review Date: 
March 6, 2015