Pronunciation:

kas-poe-FUN-jin

Brand Names:

• Cancidas

Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution

Classifications:

Therapeutic—

Antifungal

Pharmacologic—

Glucan Synthesis Inhibitor

Chemical—

Echinocandin

Uses of This Medicine:

Caspofungin is an antifungal medicine. It is used to help the body overcome serious fungus infections, including Candida and Aspergillosis infections. It is also used to treat serious fungus infections when other medicines (e.g., amphotericin B, itraconazole) have failed.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using This Medicine:

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.

Children—

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

Older adults—

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of caspofungin in the elderly.

Pregnancy—

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast-feeding—

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.

Other medicines—

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
• Tacrolimus

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 (e.g. hepatitis, liver failure)—Higher blood levels of caspofungin may result, increasing the chance of side effects.

Proper Use of This Medicine:

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

It is very important that your doctor check your progress while you are taking this medicine to make sure the medicine has worked properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Side Effects of This Medicine:

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

convulsions (seizures)

cough

cracked lips

decreased urine

diarrhea

difficult or troubled breathing

difficulty with swallowing

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly

dry mouth

fever or chills

headache

increased thirst

irregular heartbeat

irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing

loss of appetite

mood changes

muscle pain or cramps

nausea or vomiting

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

shortness of breath

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

wheezing

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

Abdominal pain or tenderness

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 arms, jaw, back, or neck

pains in stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back

pinpoint red spots on skin

rapid, shallow breathing

rapid weight gain

rash

right upper abdominal pain and fullness

shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet

stomach pain, continuing

stopping of heart

trembling or shaking of 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 skin

unusually warm skin

Incidence not known

Acid or sour stomach

back pain

belching blistering, peeling, or loosening of skin

bumps on skin

difficulty in moving

dry, red, hot, or irritated skin

fear

flaking and falling off of skin

full or bloated feeling

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 skin

sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

sleeplessness

small red or purple spots on skin

stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

swelling of abdominal or stomach area

trouble sleeping

unable to sleep

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