Cancidas : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More

Why is this medication prescribed?

Cancidas (Caspofungin) injection is used in adults and children from 3 months of age to treat fungal infections of the blood, stomach, lungs, and esophagus (the tube that connects the throat to the stomach) and certain infections. fungi that cannot be successfully treated with other medications. It is also used to treat serious fungal infections in people with a weakened ability to fight infections. Cancidas injection belongs to a class of antifungal medications called echinocandins. It works by slowing the growth of fungi that cause infections.

How should this medicine be used?

Cancidas (Caspofungin) injection comes as a powder that is mixed with liquid and injected intravenously (into a vein) for about 1 hour once a day. The length of your treatment depends on your general health, the type of infection you have, and your response to the medicine. You can receive Cancidas injection in a hospital, or you can give the medicine at home. If you will receive Cancidas injection at home, your healthcare provider will show you how to use the medicine. Make sure you understand these instructions and consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions.

Your doctor may start with a standard Cancidas injection dose and increase your dose based on your response to the medication and any side effects you experience. Talk to your doctor about how you feel during your treatment.

You should begin to feel better during the first days of treatment with Cancidas injection. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, tell your doctor. If you still have symptoms of infection after finishing the Cancidas injection, tell your doctor.

Other uses for this medicine

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before receiving Cancidas injection,

Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Cancidas, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in Cancidas injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), dexamethasone, efavirenz (Sustiva, in Atripla), nevirapine (Viramune), phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), raffle-, Rimactaneifa- , in Rifamate, in Rifater) and tacrolimus (Prograf). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you closely for side effects. Many other medications can also interact with Cancidas injection, so be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while receiving Cancidas injection, call your doctor.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Cancidas injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
pain, redness, and swelling of a vein
diarrhea
nausea
vomiting
stomach pain
back pain
headache

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

swelling of the face, throat, tongue, or lips
hoarseness
difficulty swallowing or breathing
shortness of breath
wheezing
sensation of warmth
fever, chills, cough, or other signs of infection
blisters or peeling skin
hives
rash
itching
fast heartbeat
extreme tiredness
unusual bleeding or bruising
lack of energy
loss of appetite
pain in the upper right part of the stomach
yellowing of the skin or eyes
flu-like symptoms

Cancidas injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medicine.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor can submit a report online to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim collapsed, had a seizure, is having trouble breathing, or is unable to wake up, immediately call 911 for emergency services.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain laboratory tests to check your body’s response to Cancidas injection.

It is important that you keep a written list of all prescription and over-the-counter (over-the-counter) medications you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should take this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you go into hospital. It is also important information to take with you in case of emergencies.

Brand Names

Cancidas^®

Disclaimer: DrLinex has made every effort to ensure that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.