Echinocanadins are only active against species of Aspergillus and Candida.
Echinocanadins are inhibitors of glucan synthase, an enzyme needed to produce beta (1,3)-D-glucan, an essential component for fungal cell wall stability.

Echinocandins can only be administered intravenously at present.
Common side effects include;
- Arthralgia
- Diarrhoea
- Hypokalaemia
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rash
Less common but significant side effects include;
- Heart failure
- Liver failure
- Renal failure
Dexamethasone, phenytoin and rifampicin all reduce caspofungin levels.
Echinocanadins bind extensively to albumin and can take up to 2 days to distribute fully into tissue.