Caspofungin, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Generic and brand names: caspofungin, injection; Cancidas

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein). It is used to treat aspergillosis (a fungus infection in the lungs). People with HIV/AIDS or a weakened immune system are more likely to need this medicine.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your health care provider if you have any liver disease.

You should not receive this medicine if you are taking cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral). It may affect your liver. Talk to your health care provider about this.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do no breast-feed while taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

How should I use it?

You receive an IV infusion over a period of 1 hour. The total number of treatments you need depends on your response. On average, treatments with this medicine will take about 34 days.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your health care provider right away. If you cannot reach your health care provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Other: Fever, nausea, flushing, irritation at the spot on the skin where the infusion is given.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral) (may affect your liver if taken while receiving this medicine)
• dexamethasone (Decadron)
• efavirenz (Sustiva)
• nelfinavir (Viracept)
• nevirapine (Viramune)
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• rifampin (Rifadin)
• tacrolimus (Prograf).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.