Caspofungin

is an antifungal medication. It is used in the treatment of severe fungal infections. It kills the fungi that cause infections and thus provides relief. Caspofungin is administered as an injection by a healthcare professional. Kindly do not self administer. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Your liver function should be monitored regularly during treatment. It may lead to a few common side effects like rash, decreased potassium level in blood, fever, increased liver enzymes, chills, and diarrhea. You may also notice some injection site reactions like pain, swelling or redness. Inform your doctor if these side effects persist for a longer duration. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding. Caspofungin kills fungus by preventing them from making their protective covering.

• Severe fungal infections

Caspofungin, a semisynthetic echinocandin antifungal, shows activity against Aspergillus and Candida species. It inhibits the synthesis of β-1,3-D-glucan, an essential component of the fungal cell wall that is not present in mammalian cells.

Adult Dose: Intravenous Candida Infections Includes candidemia and other Candida infections including intra-abdominal abscesses, peritonitis, and pleural space infections Day 1 loading dose: 70 mg IV infused over 1 hr (as a single dose) Maintenance: 50 mg IV qDay infused over 1 hr Continue antifungal therapy for at least 14 days after last positive culture; patients who remain persistently neutropenic may warrant longer course of therapy pending resolution of neutropenia Esophageal Candidiasis Indicated for treatment of esophageal candidiasis 50 mg IV qDay infused over 1 hr, continue for 7-14 days after symptom resolution Loading dose not necessary, has not been studied with this indication May consider suppressive oral therapy in patients with HIV infection because of the risk of oropharyngeal candidiasis relapse Invasive Aspergillosis Indicated for invasive aspergillosis in patients refractory to or intolerant of other therapies (eg, amphotericin B, itraconazole) Day 1 loading dose: 70 mg IV infused over 1 hr (as a single dose) Maintenance: 50 mg IV qDay infused over 1 hr Duration of treatment should be based upon the severity of the underlying disease, recovery from immunosuppression, and clinical response. Febrile Neutropenia Empirical therapy for presumed fungal infections in febrile, neutropenic patients Day 1 loading dose: 70 mg IV infused over 1 hr Maintenance: 50 mg IV qDay infused over 1 hour; if well tolerated but not achieving adequate response, may increase to 70 mg IV qDay Duration of treatment should be based on clinical response; continue empirical therapy until resolution of neutropenia If fungal infection is confirmed, continue therapy for a minimum of 14 days; treatment should continue for at least 7 days after both neutropenia and clinical symptoms are resolved Hepatic impairment Mild (Child-Pugh 5-6): No dosage adjustment necessary Moderate (Child-Pugh 7-9): Load 70 mg IV, then 35 mg IV qDay Severe (Child-Pugh >9): Safety and efficacy not established Child Dose: Candida Infections Includes candidemia and other Candida infections including intra-abdominal abscesses, peritonitis, and pleural space infections Dosing based on patient’s body surface area 3 months Day 1 loading dose: 70 mg/m² IV infused over 1 hr Maintenance: 50 mg/m² IV qDay infused over 1 hr If well tolerated but not achieving adequate response, may increase to 70 mg/m² IV qDay Not to exceed 70 mg qDay Continue antifungal therapy for at least 14 days after last positive culture; patients who remain persistently neutropenic may warrant longer course of therapy pending resolution of neutropenia Esophageal Candidiasis Dosing based on patient’s body surface area 3 months Day 1 loading dose: 70 mg/m² IV infused over 1 hr Maintenance: 50 mg/m² IV qDay infused over 1 hr If well tolerated but not achieving adequate response, may increase to 70 mg/m² IV qDay Not to exceed 70 mg qDay Continue antifungal therapy for 7-14 days after symptoms resolution Invasive Aspergillosis Dosing based on patient’s body surface area 3 months Day 1 loading dose: 70 mg/m² IV infused over 1 hr Maintenance: 50 mg/m² IV qDay infused over 1 hr If well tolerated but not achieving adequate response, may increase to 70 mg/m² IV qDay Not to exceed 70 mg qDay Duration of treatment should be based upon the severity of the underlying disease, recovery from immunosuppression, and clinical response Febrile Neutropenia Empirical therapy for presumed fungal infections in febrile, neutropenic patients Dosing based on patient’s body surface area 3 months Day 1 loading dose: 70 mg/m² IV infused over 1 hr Maintenance: 50 mg/m² IV qDay infused over 1 hr If well tolerated but not achieving adequate response, may increase to 70 mg/m² IV qDay Not to exceed 70 mg qDay Duration of treatment should be based on clinical response; continue empirical therapy until resolution of neutropenia If fungal infection is confirmed, continue therapy for a minimum of 14 days; treatment should continue for at least 7 days after both neutropenia and clinical symptoms are resolved

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

If you miss a dose of Caspofungin, please consult your doctor.

Common: • Chills • Decreased potassium level in blood • Diarrhea • Fever • Increased alkaline phospatase level in blood • Increased liver enzymes • Rash

[CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] It is not known whether Caspofungin alters the ability to drive. Do not drive if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react. Caspofungin is given as a slow drip into vein (IV infusion) under the supervision of a doctor. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Your doctor may check your liver function regularly. Inform your doctor if you develop abdominal pain, loss of appetite, darkened urine or yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice). Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Hypersensitivity.

Reduced plasma concentration w/ rifampicin and other CYP enzyme inducers. May increase hepatic enzymes w/ ciclosporin. May decrease blood concentration of tacrolimus.

[CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Caspofungin. Please consult your doctor.

[CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] Caspofungin may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.

[SAFE IF PRESCRIBED] Caspofungin is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.

[SAFE IF PRESCRIBED] Caspofungin is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Caspofungin is recommended. [CAUTION] Caspofungin should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Caspofungin may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Limited information is available on the use of Caspofungin in patients with the severe liver disease.

I have been experiencing fungal infections, I develop rings and rashes and they all itch like anything. I formed scars because of it. I have been taking Grisovin FP 250 mg however as long I take it I am relieved, even if I miss it for 1 day I start getting fungus back. On top of that Grisovin FP is difficult to find now, please suggest. You are having fungal infections severe, you need to change the medicine by skin specialistCan b prescribed under supervisionMeanwhile apply onabet cream twice a day Medicine for fungal infections. There is hundred type of fungal infectionFrom which you sufferBetter visit clinic for proper examination Fungal infections on body & face Cap. Itraconazole (Itrasys/ Canditral) 100mg twice daily for 2 weeks.Sertacide Cream for application twice daily for 1 month.Send pictures for better diagnosis and treatment How to treat fungal infections Stop all other applications. Cap. Itraconazole (Itrasys/ Canditral) 100mg twice daily for 2 weeks. Sertacide Cream for application twice daily for 1 month.Tab. Fexova 180 mg (if required in case of itching) Test ? Blood sugar ( Fasting & PP) The treatment has to be complete otherwise it will be recur. Fungal infections on thigh ittching Onabet cream twice a day meanwhile visit skin specialist for proper examination and treatment I am regularly using the cream cosmelite But now due to a fungal infection i have to use a antifungal cream fungicros So So i want to know whether i can apply the cream cosmelite after fungicros Pls tell me which part of body have fungal infections What kind of antibiotics should be taken for groin fungal infection along with the micanazole cream? Antibiotic is not required for fungal infection, antifungals like itraconazole, terbinafine, etc are used for fungal infections Fungal infections on face and body Cap. Itraconazole (Itrasys/ Canditral) 100mg twice daily for 2 weeks. Sertacide Cream for application twice daily for 1 month.Tab. Fexova 180 mg (if required in case of itching)