Caspofungin Brand Name– Cancidas
What is Caspofungin
Caspofungin is an intravenous echinocandin antifungal agent that is used for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis that is refractory to or intolerant of other therapies, esophageal candidiasis, candidemia, and for empiric treatment of presumed fungal infections in febrile neutropenia.
Common adverse events reported with caspofungin include fever and infusion-related toxicity.
Caspofungin has shown activity against Candida species and in regions of active cell growth of the hyphae of Aspergillus fumigatus.
Caspofungin has been shown to be active both in vitro and in clinical infections against most strains of Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus terreus, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida guilliermondii, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida tropicalis. Caspofungin was FDA-approved in January 2001.
Indications
- aspergillosis
- aspergillosis prophylaxis
- Aspergillus flavus
- Aspergillus fumigatus
- Aspergillus niger
- Aspergillus sp.
- Aspergillus terreus
- bone and joint infections
- Candida albicans
- Candida glabrata
- Candida guilliermondii
- Candida krusei
- Candida lusitaniae
- Candida parapsilosis
- Candida sp.
- Candida tropicalis
- candidemia
- candidiasis
- candidiasis prophylaxis
- endocarditis
- esophageal candidiasis
- febrile neutropenia
- infectious arthritis
- intraabdominal abscess
- intraabdominal infections
- oropharyngeal candidiasis (thrush)
- osteomyelitis
- peritonitis
- Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP)
- pneumonia
Side Effects
- abdominal pain
- anaphylactoid reactions
- anemia
- angioedema
- anorexia
- anxiety
- arrhythmia exacerbation
- arthralgia
- asthenia
- atrial fibrillation
- back pain
- bradycardia
- bronchospasm
- cardiac arrest
- chills
- coagulopathy
- confusion
- constipation
- cough
- depression
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- dyspepsia
- dyspnea
- edema
- elevated hepatic enzymes
- epistaxis
- erythema
- erythema multiforme
- exfoliative dermatitis
- fatigue
- fever
- fluid retention
- flushing
- headache
- hematuria
- hepatic failure
- hepatic necrosis
- hepatitis
- hepatomegaly
- hyperbilirubinemia
- hypercalcemia
- hyperglycemia
- hypertension
- hypokalemia
- hypomagnesemia
- hypotension
- hypoxia
- infection
- injection site reaction
- insomnia
- jaundice
- myocardial infarction
- nausea
- neutropenia
- pancreatitis
- peripheral edema
- petechiae
- phlebitis
- pleural effusion
- pruritus
- pulmonary edema
- rash
- renal failure (unspecified)
- seizures
- sinus tachycardia
- skin ulcer
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- tachypnea
- thrombocytopenia
- toxic epidermal necrolysis
- tremor
- urticaria
- vomiting
Contraindications
- breast-feeding
- pregnancy
Caspofungin is contraindicated for use in patients with known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis) to any of the product components.
Interactions
- Carbamazepine
- Cyclosporine
- Dexamethasone
- Dichlorphenamide
- Efavirenz
- Efavirenz; Emtricitabine; Tenofovir
- Efavirenz; Lamivudine; Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate
- Ethotoin
- Fosphenytoin
- Nevirapine
- Phenytoin
- Rifamycins
- Sirolimus
- Tacrolimus
