Caspofungin (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 12, 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 ...