A review of Echinocandin use at Srinagarind Hospital

Background and objective : Echinocandins are recommended antifungals for treating invasive fungal infection including candidemia and aspergillosis. They have been included in Srinagarind Hospital Formulary since 2006. However, the contemporary rates and pattern of usage have not been studied. This study aimed to evaluate the volume and usage pattern of echinocandin antifungals at Srinagarind Hospital. Methods: This study used hospital pharmacy databases and patient medical records to collect information on adult inpatient receiving echinocandin antifungals from 2006 to 2012. Results :  Thirty-five patients receiving echinocandins were retrospectively reviewed.  Echinocandins were prescribed for treating invasive fungal infection in 33 cases (94.3%). Uses of echinocandins were classified as empiric therapy 8 cases (22.9%), document therapy 7 cases (20%) and salvage therapy 20 cases (57.1%). The duration of echinocandin therapy was mostly less than 2 week (88.57%). Patients were discharged with improvement 10 cases (28.6%), non-improvement 9 cases (25.7%) and death 16 cases (45.7%). Conclusions : Use of echinocandins mostly complied with the recommendation in term of indication, and dosage regimen. However, the response of treatment was mostly non-favorable.