What are the common side effects of micafungin (Mycamine)?

Micafungin (Mycamine) is a well-tolerated medication and doesn't have a lot of side effects. Some [possible side effects](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=e0f728eb-cb52-5629-e92a-e10260d7687e&type=display#section-6) include stomach upset (e.g., diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, pain), fever, and headache.

micafungin

Q: What is micafungin (Mycamine) used for?

Micafungin (Mycamine) is approved for use in adults and children for the treatment of infections in the blood, stomach, and esophagus caused by a fungus called *Candida*. This medication can also be used for prevention of fungal infections in adults and children who have had a [bone marrow transplant](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536951/). Additionally, the [Infectious Diseases Society of America](https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/62/4/409/2462633) (IDSA) recommends micafungin (Mycamine) for the treatment of *Candida* infections in certain other parts of the body too. The medication isn't FDA approved for this purpose, but professional organizations like the IDSA have recommended it based on strong clinical evidence. Micafungin (Mycamine) is mostly used as part of [empiric therapy](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3031442), which means it's used to fight possible fungal infections when it's not known which specific fungus is causing an infection. It might also be used for people who have infections that are difficult to treat with (resistant to) [fluconazole (Diflucan)](https://www.goodrx.com/fluconazole/what-is) and other [similar antifungals](https://www.goodrx.com/classes/azole-antifungals).

Q: How does micafungin (Mycamine) work?

Micafungin (Mycamine) is an antifungal medication. It kills fungi by preventing their ability to make a protective covering around themselves.

Q: How is micafungin (Mycamine) given?

Micafungin (Mycamine) is typically given as an injection through the veins (intravenously or IV) in the hospital. Each infusion takes about 1 hour.

Q: How much micafungin (Mycamine) will I receive?

The [typical dose](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=e0f728eb-cb52-5629-e92a-e10260d7687e) in adults for the treatment of fungal infections is 100 mg or 150 mg injected through your vein (intravenously or IV) once per day, depending on the site of infection. For the prevention of fungal infections, the typical dose is 50 mg IV once per day. The dose for children 4 months of age and older is based on their body weight.

Generic Mycamine

Used for Candidiasis, Thrush

Micafungin (Mycamine) is a medication that treats infections in the blood, stomach, and esophagus (tube that connects the throat to stomach) caused by a fungus called Candida. It can be used in children and adults. This medication is injected once per day through the vein by a healthcare provider in the hospital.

Reviewed by:

Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP

Cydnee Ng, PharmD

Last reviewed on May 1, 2022

What is Micafungin (Mycamine)?

What is Micafungin (Mycamine) used for?

Treatment of serious fungal infections caused by Candidiasis (in people ages 4 months and older)
To prevent serious Candidiasis infections before a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (in people ages 4 months and older)

Drug facts

Common Brands	Mycamine
Drug Class	Antifungal
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	No lower-cost generic available
Availability	Prescription only

Common Brands

Mycamine

Drug Class

Antifungal

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

No lower-cost generic available

Availability

Prescription only

Common questions about Micafungin

Micafungin is approved for use in adults and children for the treatment of infections in the blood, stomach, and esophagus caused by a fungus called Candida. This medication can also be used for prevention of fungal infections in adults and children who have had a bone marrow transplant. Additionally, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) recommends Micafungin for the treatment of Candida infections in certain other parts of the body too. The medication isn't FDA approved for this purpose, but professional organizations like the IDSA have recommended it based on strong clinical evidence. Micafungin is mostly used as part of empiric therapy, which means it's used to fight possible fungal infections when it's not known which specific fungus is causing an infection. It might also be used for people who have infections that are difficult to treat with (resistant to) fluconazole (Diflucan) and other similar antifungals.

Micafungin is an antifungal medication. It kills fungi by preventing their ability to make a protective covering around themselves.

Micafungin is typically given as an injection through the veins (intravenously or IV) in the hospital. Each infusion takes about 1 hour.

The typical dose in adults for the treatment of fungal infections is 100 mg or 150 mg injected through your vein (intravenously or IV) once per day, depending on the site of infection. For the prevention of fungal infections, the typical dose is 50 mg IV once per day. The dose for children 4 months of age and older is based on their body weight.

Micafungin is a well-tolerated medication and doesn't have a lot of side effects. Some possible side effects include stomach upset (e.g., diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, pain), fever, and headache.

Micafungin (Mycamine) dosage

Typical dosage for Micafungin (Mycamine)

Interactions between Micafungin (Mycamine) and other drugs

Micafungin (Mycamine) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Micafungin (Mycamine). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.