Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

1. Cancidas

Descriptions

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.

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

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Powder for Solution

Before Using

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 this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine 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 this medicine 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.

Drug Interactions

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 this medicine, 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 this medicine 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
• Levoketoconazole
• Methotrexate
• Tacrolimus

Using this medicine 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

Other Interactions

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 this medicine. 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.

Proper Use

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. 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.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check the progress of you or your child while you are taking this medicine 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.

This medicine 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 this medicine.

Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. 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 this medicine.

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.

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

1. Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
2. blue lips, fingernails, or skin
3. blurred vision
4. changes in skin color
5. chest pain
6. confusion
7. cough
8. cracked lips
9. decreased urine
10. diarrhea
11. difficult or troubled breathing
12. difficulty with swallowing
13. dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
14. dry mouth
15. fever
16. headache
17. increased thirst
18. irregular heartbeat
19. irregular, fast, slow, or shallow breathing
20. loss of appetite
21. mood changes
22. muscle pain or cramps
23. nausea
24. nervousness
25. numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips
26. pain or redness at the injection site
27. pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
28. pale skin
29. pounding in the ears
30. rapid weight gain
31. seizures
32. slow or fast heartbeat
33. sneezing
34. sore throat
35. sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips, tongue, or inside the mouth
36. sweating
37. tightness in the chest
38. troubled breathing with exertion
39. unusual bleeding or bruising
40. unusual tiredness or weakness
41. unusual weight gain or loss
42. vomiting

Less common

1. Bloody urine
2. decreased frequency or amount of urine
3. increased blood pressure
4. lower back or side pain
5. weight gain
6. yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

1. Black, tarry stools
2. bladder pain
3. bleeding gums
4. blood in the urine or stools
5. bloody nose
6. chest pain or discomfort
7. clay-colored stools
8. cloudy urine
9. constipation
10. dark urine
11. decreased appetite
12. depression
13. drowsiness
14. fever with or without chills
15. flushed, dry skin
16. frequent urge to urinate
17. fruit-like breath odor
18. general feeling of tiredness or weakness
19. incoherent speech
20. increased hunger
21. increased urination
22. indigestion
23. itching
24. light-colored stools
25. metallic taste
26. muscle spasms (tetany) or twitching seizures
27. muscle weakness
28. no blood pressure or pulse
29. noisy, rattling breathing
30. pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
31. pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
32. pinpoint red spots on the skin
33. rapid weight gain
34. rash
35. right upper abdominal or stomach pain and fullness
36. shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
37. stomach pain, continuous
38. stomach pain or tenderness
39. stopping of heart
40. trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
41. troubled breathing at rest
42. ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
43. unconsciousness
44. unexplained weight loss
45. unpleasant breath odor
46. vomiting of blood
47. weakness
48. 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

1. Flushing, redness of the skin
2. unusually warm skin

Incidence not known

1. Back pain
2. belching
3. blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
4. bloated or feeling of fullness
5. bumps on the skin
6. difficulty in moving
7. dry, red, hot, or irritated skin
8. fear
9. flaking and falling off of the skin
10. heartburn
11. hives or welts
12. indigestion
13. joint or muscle pain
14. lack or loss of strength
15. muscle pain or stiffness
16. pressure in the stomach
17. red skin lesions, often with a purple center
18. red, irritated eyes
19. redness of the skin
20. sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
21. small red or purple spots on the skin
22. stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
23. swelling of the abdominal or stomach area
24. 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.

Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/caspofungin-intravenous-route/description/drg-20062585