Caspofungin (Systemic)

Brand Names : Cancidas

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For caspofungin, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to caspofungin. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Caspofungin has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that caspofungin causes birth defects or other problems. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether caspofungin passes into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing the use of caspofungin in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of caspofungin in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking caspofungin, it is especially important that your health care professional knows if you are taking any of the following:

• Cyclosporine (e.g., Sandimmune, Neoral) - Use of caspofungin with this medicine may increase the chance of liver problems
• Tacrolimus (e.g., Prograf) - Use of caspofungin may decrease the effects of tacrolimus by decreasing the amount of this medicine in the body; it may be necessary for your doctor to change your dose of tacrolimus

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of caspofungin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Liver disease, moderate to severe - Higher blood levels of caspofungin may result, increasing the chance of side effects