Home Drug Guide Rezafungin Acetate

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Rezafungin Acetate

Brand Names Rezzayo

Classification

Therapeutic: Antifungal

Pharmacological: Echinocandin

FDA Approved Indications

  • Treatment of candidemia, invasive candidiasis, and inpatient candidiasis in adults

Mechanism of Action

Rezafungin inhibits β-(1,3)-D-glucan synthase, an enzyme essential for fungal cell wall synthesis, leading to cell wall weakening and fungal cell death.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Loading dose of 400 mg IV on day 1, followed by 200 mg IV once weekly.

Pediatric: Not approved or studied for pediatric use as of now.

Geriatric: No specific dosage adjustment unless compromised renal or hepatic function noted.

Renal Impairment: No dose adjustment required for mild to moderate impairment; data limited for severe impairment.

Hepatic Impairment: No specific dose adjustments recommended; data limited.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Administered intravenously; no oral absorption.

Distribution: Wide distribution, high plasma protein binding.

Metabolism: Primarily metabolized via non-CYP pathways; specific pathways under study.

Excretion: Primarily excreted via feces; minimal renal excretion.

Half Life: Approximately 70 hours, allowing once-weekly dosing.

Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity to Rezafungin or other echinocandins.

Precautions

  • Use cautiously in patients with hepatic impairment; monitor liver function.
  • Limited data in pregnant or breastfeeding women; use only if clearly indicated.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Infusion site reactions (Common)
  • Nausea and vomiting (Common)
  • Headache (Less common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Hepatotoxicity (Less common)
  • Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Potential interactions with drugs that affect hepatic enzymes or compete for protein binding, though minimal for rezafungin.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for signs of infusion reactions, hepatotoxicity, and fungal response.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for infection related to invasive fungal infection.
  • Potential for allergic reaction.

Implementation: Administer as per prescribed schedule; monitor hepatic function; observe for infusion reactions.

Evaluation: Assess for resolution of infection, monitor liver enzymes, and observe adverse reactions.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Report any symptoms of allergic reaction (rash, difficulty breathing).
  • Complete the full course of therapy.
  • Report any unusual symptoms such as severe nausea or liver problems.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • None currently issued.

Genetic Factors: Limited data; no specific genetic considerations identified.

Lab Test Interference: No significant interference with routine laboratory tests reported.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Potential for increased infusion reactions or hepatotoxicity.

Treatment: Supportive care; monitor liver function and symptoms; no specific antidote.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from direct light and moisture.

Stability: Stable under recommended conditions for the duration of the product's shelf life.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.