Caspofungin Intravenous Advanced Patient Information - Drugs.com

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# Caspofungin (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 30, 2022.

## Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

- Cancidas

Available Dosage Forms:

- Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antifungal

Pharmacologic Class: Glucan Synthesis Inhibitor

Chemical Class: Echinocandin

## Uses for caspofungin

Caspofungin injection is used to treat serious fungal infections, including candidemia (fungal infection in the blood), esophageal candidiasis (fungal infection of the esophagus), other candida infections, and aspergillosis (fungal infection in the lungs). It is also used to treat fungal infections assumed to be present in patients with febrile neutropenia. Caspofungin injection is given when other medicines (eg, amphotericin B, itraconazole) did not work well.

Caspofungin is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

## Before using caspofungin

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For caspofungin, the following should be considered:

### Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to caspofungin or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

### Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of caspofungin injection in children 3 months of age and older. Safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 3 months of age.

### Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of caspofungin injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more sensitive to the effects of caspofungin than younger adults.

### Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

### Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving caspofungin, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using caspofungin with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

- Cyclosporine
- Tacrolimus

Using caspofungin with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

- Carbamazepine
- Dexamethasone
- Efavirenz
- Fosphenytoin
- Nevirapine
- Phenytoin
- Rifampin

### Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

### Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of caspofungin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

- Liver disease, moderate to severe (eg, hepatitis, liver failure)—Use with caution. Effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

## Related/similar drugs

ciprofloxacin, Augmentin, fluconazole, amoxicillin / clavulanate, vancomycin, gentamicin, Diflucan

## Proper use of caspofungin

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you caspofungin. It is given through a needle placed into one of your veins. The medicine must be injected slowly, so the needle will have to remain in place for about 1 hour for 7 to 14 days.

Detailed Caspofungin dosage information

## Precautions while using caspofungin

It is very important that your doctor check the progress of you or your child while you are taking caspofungin to make sure the medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, dark urine, pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or yellow skin or eyes. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

Caspofungin may cause a serious type of allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after receiving caspofungin.

Serious skin reactions can occur with caspofungin. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or a skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills with caspofungin.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

## Caspofungin side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

- Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
- blue lips, fingernails, or skin
- blurred vision
- changes in skin color
- chest pain
- confusion
- cough
- cracked lips
- decreased urine
- diarrhea
- difficult or troubled breathing
- difficulty with swallowing
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- dry mouth
- fever
- headache
- increased thirst
- irregular heartbeat
- irregular, fast, slow, or shallow breathing
- loss of appetite
- mood changes
- muscle pain or cramps
- nausea
- nervousness
- numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips
- pain or redness at the injection site
- pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
- pale skin
- pounding in the ears
- rapid weight gain
- seizures
- slow or fast heartbeat
- sneezing
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips, tongue, or inside the mouth
- sweating
- tightness in the chest
- troubled breathing with exertion
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- unusual weight gain or loss
- vomiting

Less common

- Bloody urine
- decreased frequency or amount of urine
- increased blood pressure
- lower back or side pain
- weight gain
- yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

- Black, tarry stools
- bladder pain
- bleeding gums
- blood in the urine or stools
- bloody nose
- chest pain or discomfort
- clay-colored stools
- cloudy urine
- constipation
- dark urine
- decreased appetite
- depression
- drowsiness
- fever with or without chills
- flushed, dry skin
- frequent urge to urinate
- fruit-like breath odor
- general feeling of tiredness or weakness
- incoherent speech
- increased hunger
- increased urination
- indigestion
- itching
- light-colored stools
- metallic taste
- muscle spasms (tetany) or twitching seizures
- muscle weakness
- no blood pressure or pulse
- noisy, rattling breathing
- pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
- pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- rapid weight gain
- rash
- right upper abdominal or stomach pain and fullness
- shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
- stomach pain, continuous
- stomach pain or tenderness
- stopping of heart
- trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
- troubled breathing at rest
- ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
- unconsciousness
- unexplained weight loss
- unpleasant breath odor
- vomiting of blood
- weakness
- weight loss

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

- Flushing, redness of the skin
- unusually warm skin

Incidence not known

- Back pain
- belching
- blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- bloated or feeling of fullness
- bumps on the skin
- difficulty in moving
- dry, red, hot, or irritated skin
- fear
- flaking and falling off of the skin
- heartburn
- hives or welts
- indigestion
- joint or muscle pain
- lack or loss of strength
- muscle pain or stiffness
- pressure in the stomach
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- red, irritated eyes
- redness of the skin
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
- small red or purple spots on the skin
- stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
- swelling of the abdominal or stomach area
- trouble sleeping

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Caspofungin side effects (more detail)

## More about caspofungin

- Check interactions
- Pricing & coupons
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: echinocandins
- Breastfeeding
- En español

### Patient resources

- Drug Information

#### Other brands

Cancidas

### Professional resources

- Prescribing Information

### Related treatment guides

- Febrile Neutropenia
- Aspergillosis, Invasive
- Candidemia
- Esophageal Candidiasis

## Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer