[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Echinocandins](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/echinocandins/) › Rezafungin

# Rezafungin

## Echinocandins?

Echinocandins

Very long-acting IV echinocandin: one weekly infusion treats candidaemia and invasive candidiasis in adults with few options.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

Also called: rezafungin acetate

## Quick facts

**Group**
[Echinocandins](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/echinocandins/)

**Target**
β-1,3-D-glucan synthase (Fks1 catalytic subunit)

**Used for**
Candidaemia and invasive candidiasis

**Key effects**
Diarrhoea · Fever · Tremor

**Monitor**
Liver tests · Follow-up blood cultures

**ATC**
J02AX08

No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Administration and safety
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

✂**β-1,3-D-glucan synthase (Fks1 catalytic subunit)**Rezafungin

ⓘ The figure shows caspofungin, another echinocandin, bound to yeast Fks1 glucan synthase; rezafungin acts on the same enzyme.

**Target in 3D:** β-1,3-D-glucan synthase (Fks1 catalytic subunit). PDB structure 9PE1 (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/9PE1) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

Like the other echinocandins, rezafungin inhibits the fungal membrane glucan synthase and halts synthesis of β-1,3-D-glucan, the scaffold of the wall. The wall weakens and the yeast dies. Its distinctive feature is a very long half-life, which allows weekly dosing.

- Binds the fungal glucan synthase (Fks1)
- β-1,3-D-glucan synthesis halts
- The Candida wall weakens and breaks
- Its long half-life allows one dose a week

## Indications

- Candidaemia and invasive candidiasis in adults when other options have failed or are not available [Candidiasis: oral, oesophageal and invasive →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/candidiasis-oral-oesophageal-and-invasive/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and constipation
- Fever, tiredness and weakness
- Tremor

### Serious (rare, important)

- Allergic or infusion reactions (flushing, itching, chest tightness, angioedema)
- Liver injury (jaundice, dark urine, pale stools)
- Photosensitivity

## Contraindications

- Allergy to rezafungin or other echinocandins (caspofungin, micafungin, anidulafungin)

## Key interactions

**Other medicines and herbal products**
All are reviewed before starting; the doctor may adjust or monitor.

## What is monitored

- Liver tests, above all with previous liver disease
- Follow-up blood cultures
- Signs of reaction during the infusion

## Administration and safety

- IV infusion once a week, at a health facility
- If an appointment is missed it is rescheduled; a delay of more than 3 days means the schedule is revised
- Name looks like the other «-fungins» (caspofungin, micafungin, anidulafungin) given daily: the product and interval are checked

## Nursing care

- Ask about liver disease and echinocandin allergy
- Teach sun protection: clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Watch for flushing, itching or chest tightness during the infusion
- Explain to men that it may lower sperm count

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
IV only.

**Half-life**
Very long, allowing one infusion a week.

## Memory aid

«REZA = REst a week»: rezafungin is the echinocandin that does not need a daily visit.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## What sets rezafungin apart from caspofungin and micafungin?

Its very long half-life, which allows a weekly infusion instead of a daily one.

## Which enzyme do echinocandins such as rezafungin act on?

β-1,3-D-glucan synthase, which makes the glucan of the fungal wall.

## What skin advice is given to someone receiving rezafungin?

Sun protection, because it can cause photosensitivity.

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[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

## Connections

## Related drugs 3

- [Caspofungin](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/caspofungin/)
- [Micafungin](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/micafungin/)
- [Fluconazole](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/fluconazole/)

## Related conditions 1

- [Candidiasis: oral, oesophageal and invasive](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/candidiasis-oral-oesophageal-and-invasive/)

[← Back to the class: Echinocandins](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/echinocandins/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Rezafungin Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a623021.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [Structure of beta-1,3-glucan synthase in complex with caspofungin, Rho1 and long glucan](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/9PE1) (RCSB Protein Data Bank, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/rezafungin/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/rezafungin/