ASPERGILLOSIS - MEDICINES FOR THE TREATMENT OF ASPERGILLOSIS

Causes

Pathogens belonging to the genus Aspergillus they infect man with spores: the host, inhaling the spores of the pathogen, is contaminated; it is important to remember, however, that mold, in order to cause damage, must find a favorable condition, which translates into a decline in the host's immune defenses.

Risk factors: changes in the immune system, asthma, bronchial cavity / cyst

Symptoms

Bronchial aspergillosis causes the typical symptoms of acute bronchitis, often associated with cough and the emission of phlegm and blood; this form can also cause allergic symptoms (with bronchospasm and dyspnoea). The invasive form, with a violent and often inauspicious course, generates acute pneumonia, and can involve the skin, heart, brain and paranasal sinuses; this form of aspergillosis appears in severely immunosuppressed patients (e.g. AIDS patients).

The information on Aspergillosis - Medicines for the Treatment of Aspergillosis is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Aspergillosis - Medicines for the Treatment of Aspergillosis.

Medicines

Aspergillosis is not a disease of simple resolution; the widespread forms give a fatal outcome in the vast majority of affected patients. From the first symptoms, it is recommended to undergo specific control tests, to start drug therapy as soon as possible, in order to avoid complications.
In healthy subjects, it should be emphasized again, aspergillosis should not be overly alarming, since Aspergillus creates damage almost exclusively in patients with mild or marked impairment of the immune system.
In severe cases, especially in patients suffering from invasive aspergillosis with lung lesions contiguous with the heart muscle, it is sometimes essential to resort to extreme life-saving treatments, such as surgical resection. Clearly, highly immunocompromised patients should follow some precautionary measures and indicated treatments to resolve the triggering cause: only in this way, it is possible to definitively cure aspergillosis.
The drugs most used in therapy for the treatment of aspergillosis are antifungals and some corticosteroids to be taken orally (essentially useful for preventing the exacerbation of asthma and cystic fibrosis, when present).

The following are the classes of drugs most used in the therapy against aspergillosis, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and dosage for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the state of health of the patient and his response to treatment:

Voriconazole (eg. Vfend): this drug (thiazole antifungal) is certainly one of the first-line treatments for the treatment of aspergillosis, especially for the invasive and pulmonary form. The drug is available in the form of tablets to be taken orally by 50 or 200 mg; or as an oral suspension of 40 mg / ml. Alternatively, the drug can also be taken by drip injection into a vein. The dosage, method of administration and duration of therapy must be established by the doctor on the basis of the severity of the condition, the weight and age of the patient.

If treatment with voriconazole does not bring appreciable benefits to the patient with aspergillosis, it is recommended to change therapy and choose non-thiazole antifungals.

Posaconazole (eg. Noxafil): in addition to the treatment of aspergillosis, this drug is widely used in therapy to treat thrush. Indicatively, for the prophylaxis of infections caused by molds of the genus Aspergillus, take 200-250 mg (5 ml ), three times a day; the duration of therapy must be established by the doctor.The drug is indicated for adults and for children who have already turned 13 years old.

Caspofungin (eg. A href = "https://www.my-personaltrainer.it/Foglietti-illustrativi/Cancidas.html"> Cancidas): the drug is taken by infusion into a vein of one "hour via a drip, and is indicated both for the treatment of invasive candidiasis and for the treatment of aspergillosis. Administer the drug once daily, at the initial 70 mg (loading dose), followed by 50 mg / day for the following days. In patients weighing over 80 pounds, it is recommended that the dose be kept at 70 mg. In subjects suffering from hepatic disorders in the context of aspergillosis, it is possible to reduce the dose, after consulting a doctor. For children aged between 12 and 17 years, the dosage should be calculated based on their body weight. Consult your doctor.

Itraconazole (eg. Sporanox, Trazer, Itraconaz EG): drug of excellence used in therapy against infections caused by Candida albicans, itraconazole is sometimes given to patients with aspergillosis: generally, take a dose of 200-400 mg orally, in a single dose or in two divided doses. It is recommended to continue therapy for at least three months, or until the disease has completely regressed. Consult your doctor.

Amphotericin B (eg Abelcet): the drug belongs to the class of polyene antifungals and is sometimes administered to treat aspergillosis at a dose of 0.25 mg / kg / day, by slow intravenous infusion; the dose may increase from 0.5 at 1 mg / kg over 24 hours, over 2-4 days. The total dosage should not exceed 2 grams. Alternatively, administer 0.5-0.6 mg / kg of drug per day by slow intravenous infusion, possibly gradually increasing the dosage for patients with invasive aspergillosis.