INTRODUCTION

CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION contains Caspofungin which belongs to the group of medicines called Antifungal Drugs. It is used to treat serious fungal infections of the blood, heart, brain, eyes, bones, nose, sinuses, lungs and other parts of the body (such as invasive candidiasis, invasive aspergillosis, etc.).

It can also be used to prevent fungal infections during high-risk conditions such as after a surgery or chemotherapy and in patients who recently underwent an organ transplantation or having a weak immune system. It may be given to patients to reduce fever and chills that is suspected to be a fungal infection when treatment with antibiotics is not working appropriately.

CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION should be used under careful medical supervision. It is suitable for use both in adults and in children. Talk to your doctor before receiving CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION if you have any liver problems or taking immunosuppressants (such as ciclosporin or tacrolimus) as a precaution.

Inform your doctor before receiving CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or planning to become pregnant. CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women.

The most common side effects of receiving CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION are pain, swelling, irritation and redness at the site of injection, headache, fast heartbeat, flushing, fever, chills, shortness of breath, joint pain, leg pain, back pain, changes in taste, constipation and dry mouth. Consult your doctor if any of these side effect worsens.

USES OF CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION

• Treats and prevents serious fungal infections (such as invasive candidiasis, invasive aspergillosis, etc.)

HOW CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION WORKS

CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION is an antifungal medication. It acts by disrupting the fungal cell wall by blocking the actions of certain cellular proteins (beta-glucan) which is essential for the fungal cell to maintain the rigid cell structure. As a result, it makes the fungal cells weak and fragile and eventually destroys them, thereby reducing the severity of infection and preventing it from spreading further.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION will be given to you only by a doctor or a nurse into the vein (intravenously). Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and severity of infection.

SIDE EFFECTS OF CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Constipation

Eat plenty of fiber rich foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables and cereals. Drink plenty of fluids. Exercise more regularly. Consult your doctor if this side effect bothers you.

Dizziness Or Drowsiness

Try to rest and relax. Get enough sleep. Avoid driving or operating any tools or machines completely while you are feeling dizzy. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your dizziness. Consult your doctor if your dizziness worsens.

Headache

Rest and relax. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids such as water or electrolytes. Applying a pain-relieving balm on your forehead can be beneficial. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your headache. Consult your doctor if your headache worsens.

Nausea And Vomiting

Stick to simple meals and avoid oil rich or spicy foods. Consult your doctor if nausea worsens.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

PREGNANCY

Consult your doctor

There is no proper information regarding the use of CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION in pregnant women. Therefore, it should be used in pregnant women only if considered necessary by the physician.

BREASTFEEDING

Contraindicated

CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. Therefore, consult your doctor before receiving it.

DRIVING AND USING MACHINES

Use with Caution

Do not drive or operate any heavy tools or machines if your ability is affected by CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION.

LIVER

Use with Caution

CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION should be used with caution in patients with liver problems. Therefore, consult your doctor before receiving it.

ALLERGY

Contraindicated

Tell your doctor before receiving CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION if you are allergic to Caspofungin or to any other ingredients of this medicine.

INTERACTIONS

A. Drug-Drug interactions:

Before receiving CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• cyclosporin or tacrolimus (medicines used to prevent rejection of organ transplant or cause immune system suppression)
• efavirenz or nevirapine (used to treat HIV)
• phenytoin or carbamazepine (medicines used to treat seizures)
• dexamethasone (steroid medicine used to treat inflammations)
• rifampicin (an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis)

Overdosage:

CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION will be given to you only by a doctor or nurse in a hospital, and so it is unlikely to receive an overdose. However, if you are worried that you may have been given too much of CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION, Contact your doctor immediately.

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

• Keep CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION out of reach of children
• Store CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION in a refrigerator between 2-8°C

FAQs ABOUT CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION

Q: What is CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION used for?

A: CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION is used to treat serious fungal infections of the blood, heart, brain, eyes, bones, nose, sinuses, lungs and other parts of the body (such as invasive candidiasis, invasive aspergillosis, etc.). It can also be used to prevent fungal infections during high-risk conditions such as after a surgery or chemotherapy and in patients who recently underwent an organ transplantation or having a weak immune system.

Q: Is CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION an antibiotic?

A: No. CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION is an antifungal medicine that acts by making the fungal cells fragile and terminating their growth. Thereby it stops the spread of infection and allows the natural defense mechanism of the body a time to totally eradicate the infection.

Q: Does CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION affect liver?

A: CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION may unusually cause decreased bile flow, enlarged liver, liver disorder or injury, and yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. Therefore, caution should be taken if you have ever had liver problems. Therefore, consult your doctor before receiving it.

Q: What are the side effects of CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION?

A: The most common side effects of receiving CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION are pain, swelling, irritation and redness at the site of injection, headache, fast heartbeat, flushing, fever, chills, shortness of breath, joint pain, leg pain, back pain, changes in taste, constipation and dry mouth. Consult your doctor if any of these side effect worsens.

Q: Can a person taking CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION breastfeed?

A: CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. Therefore, consult your doctor before receiving it.

Q: How long should I receive CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION?

A: You need to receive therapy with CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION for the stipulated duration prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.

Q: Is CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION safe?

A: CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION is safe at doses prescribed by the physician. Therefore, do not alter the dose of CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION without consulting your doctor.

Q: Can I stop receiving CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION without consulting your doctor?

A: No. You should not stop receiving CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION without consulting your doctor as it may reduce its effectiveness. Therefore, receive CANCIDAS 50MG INJECTION for the stipulated duration recommended by your doctor to achieve maximum results.

REFERENCES

1. KD. Tripathi. Antifungal Drugs. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Eighth edition. 2013. Page – 841.

2. Laurena N. Dongmo Fotsing; Tushar Bajaj. Caspofungin. StatPearls. National Library of Medicine. National center for biotechnology information. October 2022. [Accessed on 30th January 2023] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545140/

3. Staci A Pacetti, Steven P Gelone. Caspofungin acetate for treatment of invasive fungal infections. National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. Pubmed.gov. January 2003. [Accessed on 30th January 2023] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12503942/

4. FAREVA Mirabel. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in March 2022] [Accessed on 30th January 2023] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.2226.pdf

5. Pharmadox healthcare Ltd. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in November 2022] [Accessed on 30th January 2023] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.2722.pdf

6. Gufic Biosciences Limited. Cipla Ltd. [Revised in October 2021]. [Accessed on 30th January 2023] https://ciplamed-library.com/content/caspogin-injection       

7. Merck Sharp & Dohme B. V. European Medicines Agency. [Revised in September 2011]. [Accessed on 30th January 2023] https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/cancidas-epar-product-information_en.pdf                                            

USEFUL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

• Antigen Testing
• Serological Testing
• PCR-Based Assays

AUTHOR DETAILS

Written By Srilekha. R, B.Pharm
Last updated on 01 Feb 2023 | 11:01 AM(IST)