Cancidas

C

Pronunciation: KAS-poe-FUN-jin
Generic Name: Caspofungin
Brand Name: Cancidas
Cancidas is used for:

Treating certain fungal infections.

Cancidas is an antifungal agent. It works by weakening fungal cell walls, which allows the cell contents to leak out, resulting in the death of the fungus.

Do NOT use Cancidas if: you are allergic to any ingredient in Cancidas

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Cancidas:

Some medical conditions may interact with Cancidas. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances if you have liver problems or are using cyclosporine

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Cancidas. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Cyclosporine because the risk of liver problems may be increased Carbamazepine, dexamethasone, efavirenz, nevirapine, phenytoin, or rifampin because they may decrease Cancidas's effectiveness Tacrolimus because its effectiveness may be decreased by Cancidas

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Cancidas may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Cancidas:

Use Cancidas as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Cancidas is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Cancidas at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Cancidas. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions. Do not use Cancidas if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged. Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal. If you miss a dose of Cancidas, contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Cancidas.

Important safety information: Be sure to use Cancidas for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future. Lab tests, including liver function tests, may be performed while you use Cancidas. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments. Use Cancidas with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects. Cancidas should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 3 months old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed. PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Cancidas while you are pregnant. It is not known if Cancidas is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Cancidas, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby. Possible side effects of Cancidas:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Cough; diarrhea; headache; mild fever; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); blood in the urine; decreased urine; fainting, fatigue, or dizziness; fast, slow or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; mood or mental changes (eg, anxiety, confusion, depression, trouble sleeping); muscle pain, weakness, or cramps; pain, swelling, weakness, or redness at the infusion site or in the infused limb; rapid breathing, shortness of breath, or wheezing; red, swollen, blistered or peeling skin; seizure; severe headache, dizziness, or blurred vision; severe stomach or back pain with nausea and vomiting; swelling of the hands or feet; symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine, loss of appetite, pale stools, yellowing of the skin or eyes); unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual feeling of warmth; unusual tiredness or weakness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Cancidas side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Cancidas:

Cancidas is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Cancidas at home, store Cancidas as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Cancidas out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information: If you have any questions about Cancidas, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Cancidas is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people. If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Cancidas. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012 Database Edition 12.1.1.002 Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. More Cancidas resources Cancidas Side Effects (in more detail)Cancidas Use in Pregnancy & BreastfeedingCancidas Drug InteractionsCancidas Support Group0 Reviews for Cancidas - Add your own review/rating Cancidas Prescribing Information (FDA) Cancidas Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum) Cancidas Monograph (AHFS DI) Cancidas Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information Compare Cancidas with other medications Aspergillosis, InvasiveCandida Infections, SystemicEsophageal CandidiasisFebrile Neutropenia

Cancidas

.