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INTRODUCTION ABOUT CANCIDAS 70 INJECTION
CANCIDAS 70 INJECTION contains Caspofungin which belongs to the group of medicines called Antifungal Drugs. It is used to manage 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 manage 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 management with antibiotics is not working appropriately.
CANCIDAS 70 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 70 INJECTION if you have any liver problems or taking immunosuppressants (such as ciclosporin or tacrolimus) as a precaution.
Inform your doctor before receiving CANCIDAS 70 INJECTION if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or planning to become pregnant. CANCIDAS 70 INJECTION is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women.
The most common side effects of receiving CANCIDAS 70 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 70 INJECTION
- Manage and manages serious fungal infections (such as invasive candidiasis, invasive aspergillosis, etc.)
HOW CANCIDAS 70 INJECTION WORKS
CANCIDAS 70 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 managing it from spreading further.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
CANCIDAS 70 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 70 INJECTION
COMMON
- headache
- fast heartbeat
- flushing, low blood pressure
- increased liver enzymes
- skin rash, itching and redness, sweating
- injection site reactions (pain, inflammation, itching, redness, swelling)
- fever, chills
- low RBC, WBC count in blood
- low blood albumin levels
- low potassium levels in the blood
- shortness of breath
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
- joint pain
UNCOMMON
- loss of appetite, swelling of body parts
- high blood sugar levels
- changes in blood calcium levels (high or low)
- low blood magnesium levels
- increase in acid level in the blood
- nervousness, disorientation, lack of sleep
- dizziness, numbness, shakiness, sleepiness
- changes in taste
- blurred vision, watery eyes, swollen eyelids, yellow eyes
- abnormal heart rate (fast or slow)
- high blood pressure, pain, redness and swelling of legs
- shortness of breath, chest tightness
- nasal congestion, cough, throat pain
- stomach pain, bloating, constipation, difficulty in swallowing, swollen abdomen
- dry mouth
- back pain, pain in arms or legs, bone pain, muscle pain, muscle weakness
- liver problems or kidney problems
- tiredness
RARE
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
- severe allergic reaction (such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, tongue, throat with difficulty in breathing or swallowing)
- cough and breathing difficulties
- severe skin reactions with blisters and peeling of skin
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 doctorThere is no proper information regarding the use of CANCIDAS 70 INJECTION in pregnant women. Therefore, it should be used in pregnant women only if considered necessary by the physician.
BREASTFEEDING
ContraindicatedCANCIDAS 70 INJECTION is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. Therefore, consult your doctor before receiving it.
DRIVING AND USING MACHINES
Use with CautionDo not drive or operate any heavy tools or machines if your ability is affected by CANCIDAS 70 INJECTION.
LIVER
Use with CautionCANCIDAS 70 INJECTION should be used with caution in patients with liver problems. Therefore, consult your doctor before receiving it.
ALLERGY
ContraindicatedTell your doctor before receiving CANCIDAS 70 INJECTION if you are allergic to Caspofungin or to any other ingredients of this medicine.
OTHERS
Use in pediatrics:
CANCIDAS 70 INJECTION should be used with caution in children and adolescents (aged below 18 years). Therefore, consult your doctor before receiving it.
Use in geriatrics:
CANCIDAS 70 INJECTION can be used with caution in elderly patients. Therefore, consult your doctor before receiving it.
INTERACTIONS
A. Drug-Drug interactions:
Before receiving CANCIDAS 70 INJECTION, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- cyclosporin or tacrolimus (medicines used to manage rejection of organ transplant or cause immune system suppression)
- efavirenz or nevirapine (used to manage HIV)
- phenytoin or carbamazepine (medicines used to manage seizures)
- dexamethasone (steroid medicine used to manage inflammations)
- rifampicin (an antibiotic used to manage tuberculosis)
Overdosage:
CANCIDAS 70 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 70 INJECTION, Contact your doctor immediately.
SYNOPSIS
| Drug | : | Caspofungin |
| Pharmacological Category | : | Echinocandins |
| Therapeutic Indication | : | Fungal infections |
| Dosage Forms | : | Injection |
MORE INFORMATION
- Keep CANCIDAS 70 INJECTION out of reach of children
- Store CANCIDAS 70 INJECTION in a refrigerator between 2-8°C
FAQs ABOUT CANCIDAS 70 INJECTION
Q: What is CANCIDAS 70 INJECTION used for?
A: CANCIDAS 70 INJECTION is used to manage 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 manage 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 70 INJECTION an antibiotic?
A: No. CANCIDAS 70 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 70 INJECTION affect liver?
A: CANCIDAS 70 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 70 INJECTION?
A: The most common side effects of receiving CANCIDAS 70 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 70 INJECTION breastfeed?
A: CANCIDAS 70 INJECTION is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. Therefore, consult your doctor before receiving it.
Q: How long should I receive CANCIDAS 70 INJECTION?
A: You need to receive therapy with CANCIDAS 70 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 70 INJECTION safe?
A: CANCIDAS 70 INJECTION is safe at doses prescribed by the physician. Therefore, do not alter the dose of CANCIDAS 70 INJECTION without consulting your doctor.
Q: Can I stop receiving CANCIDAS 70 INJECTION without consulting your doctor?
A: No. You should not stop receiving CANCIDAS 70 INJECTION without consulting your doctor as it may reduce its effectiveness. Therefore, receive CANCIDAS 70 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

