Type of medicine: antifungal
Generic and brand names: caspofungin, injection; Cancidas
This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein). It is used to treat fungal infections. People with a weakened immune system are more likely to need this medicine.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Talk with your provider if you are taking cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Gengraf, Neoral). Taking these 2 medicines together may affect your liver.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
This medicine is given by a healthcare provider as an IV infusion over a period of 1 hour. Usually this medicine will be given for at least 2 weeks. The total number of treatments you need depends on how your body responds to the medicine.
You will be monitored closely and may have frequent blood tests to see how this medicine affects you.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.
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 healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare 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).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe stomach pain; yellowing of the skin or eyes; dark urine; diarrhea; fever; muscle aches; pain, burning, or swelling at infusion site.
Other: Vomiting, nausea, flushing, headache, dizziness, chills, tingling where the infusion is given.
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 healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare 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 healthcare 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.
