Cresemba (isavuconazonium sulfate)

Antifungals-Systemic Intravenous Vial (Ea); Oral Capsule

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Isavuconazonium sulfate, a prodrug of isavuconazole, is a triazole antifungal agent; isavuconazole is active against certain fungi.

Isavuconazonium sulfate, a prodrug of isavuconazole, is a triazole antifungal agent structurally similar to fluconazole and voriconazole. Isavuconazonium is inactive until converted in vivo to isavuconazole.

Like other triazole antifungals, isavuconazole inhibits 14-alpha-demethylase, which leads to accumulation of methylated sterols (e.g., 14-alpha-methylated lanosterol, 4,14-dimethylzymosterol, 24-methylenedihydrolanosterol) and decreased concentrations of ergosterol in fungal cell membranes. Depletion of ergosterol affects cell membrane integrity and function and can lead to fungal cell death.

Following oral or IV administration of isavuconazonium sulfate, the drug is rapidly and almost completely (greater than 98%) hydrolyzed by esterases (principally butylcholinesterase) in the blood to yield the active moiety, isavuconazole, and an inactive cleavage product. Peak plasma concentrations of isavuconazole are achieved in approximately 2-4 hours after oral administration and 0.7-1 hour after the start of IV infusion of isavuconazonium sulfate. It has been estimated that steady-state concentrations of isavuconazole are not achieved until after 2 weeks.

The absolute bioavailability of isavuconazole following oral administration of isavuconazonium sulfate is 98%. Oral administration of a 744-mg dose of isavuconazonium sulfate with a high-fat meal resulted in a 9% decrease in isavuconazole peak plasma concentrations and a 9% increase in isavuconazole area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC); these effects were not considered clinically important. Isavuconazonium sulfate given orally as an IV solution administered via a nasogastric tube provides systemic isavuconazole exposure that is similar to the oral capsule.

Isavuconazole is greater than 99% bound to plasma proteins, mainly albumin. In vivo studies indicate that isavuconazole is metabolized by cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoenzymes 3A4 and 3A5 and, subsequently, by uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT). In a single-dose study in adults using oral or IV isavuconazonium sulfate, the mean distribution half-life of isavuconazole was 1.7-2.1 or 0.42-1.6 hours, respectively, and the mean terminal elimination half-life of isavuconazole was 56-77 or 76-104 hours, respectively.

Following oral administration of radiolabeled isavuconazonium sulfate, 46% of the total radioactive dose was recovered in feces (approximately 33% as isavuconazole) and 46% was recovered in urine (principally as metabolites of isavuconazole and metabolites of the inactive cleavage product). Less than 1% of a dose of isavuconazonium sulfate is eliminated in urine as active isavuconazole.

USES: This medication is used to treat certain serious fungal infections. This medication is known as an azole antifungal. It works by stopping the growth of fungi.

Generic name: isavuconazonium sulfate
Pronunciation: (EYE-sa-vue-KOE-na-ZOE-nee-um)
Drug class: Antifungals-Systemic
Therapeutic class: Anti-Infective Agents

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Cresemba:

  • Aspergillosis
  • Mucormycosis

Also known as: Phycomycetosis, Phycomycosis, Zygomycosis.

Dosing

Isavuconazonium sulfate is a prodrug that is inactive until metabolized in vivo to isavuconazole. Dosage of the drug usually is expressed in terms of the prodrug (i.e., isavuconazonium sulfate), but also has been expressed in terms of isavuconazole.

Each 186 mg of isavuconazonium sulfate is equivalent to 100 mg of isavuconazole.

Oral and IV dosages of isavuconazonium sulfate are identical; bioequivalence has been demonstrated between the dosage forms. Switching between the oral and IV routes is acceptable; a loading dosage is not needed when switching between the oral and IV preparations.

Drug interactions

Concomitant use of isavuconazonium sulfate with drugs that are strong cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, high-dose ritonavir) or inducers (e.g., rifampin, carbamazepine, St. John's wort, long-acting barbiturates) is contraindicated.

Because isavuconazonium sulfate is rapidly metabolized to isavuconazole in vivo, drug interactions are reported for isavuconazole.

Contraindications

*Known hypersensitivity to isavuconazole (active metabolite of isavuconazonium sulfate).

*Familial short QT syndrome.

*Concomitant use with strong cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, high-dose ritonavir) or inducers (e.g., rifampin, carbamazepine, St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), long-acting barbiturates).

Adverse reactions

The most common adverse reactions in adults include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, elevated liver chemistry tests, hypokalemia, constipation, dyspnea, cough, peripheral edema, and back pain.

The most common adverse reactions in pediatric patients include diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, elevated liver chemistry tests, rash, nausea, pruritus, and headache.

Precautions

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ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
Aspergillosis
B44ICD10CMAspergillosis
B44.0ICD10CMInvasive pulmonary aspergillosis
B44.1ICD10CMOther pulmonary aspergillosis
B44.2ICD10CMTonsillar aspergillosis
B44.7ICD10CMDisseminated aspergillosis
B44.8ICD10CMOther forms of aspergillosis
B44.81ICD10CMAllergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
B44.89ICD10CMOther forms of aspergillosis
B44.9ICD10CMAspergillosis, unspecified
Mucormycosis
B46.0ICD10CMPulmonary mucormycosis
B46.1ICD10CMRhinocerebral mucormycosis
B46.2ICD10CMGastrointestinal mucormycosis
B46.3ICD10CMCutaneous mucormycosis
B46.4ICD10CMDisseminated mucormycosis
B46.5ICD10CMMucormycosis, unspecified

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data