Micafungin sodium is a semi-synthetic antifungal medication derived from a natural product of the fungus Coleophoma empetri . It belongs to the antifungal class of compounds known as echinocandins.
Micafungin sodium works by inhibiting the synthesis of 1,3-beta-D-glucan, an essential component of the fungal cell wall that is not found in mammals. By preventing the synthesis of 1,3-beta-D-glucan, micafungin sodium weakens the cell wall of the fungus, which leads to osmotic lysis (cell rupture) and eventually fungal cell death.
Micafungin sodium is sold under the brand name Mycamine and is used to treat and prevent invasive fungal infections including candidemia (fungus in the blood), fungal abscesses, and esophageal candidiasis (fungal infection of the esophagus). It is typically administered by intravenous infusion (injection into a vein).