Caspofungin

Author: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer

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Last updated on: 29.10.2020

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Definition
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Antimycotic from the class of Echinocandine.

Pharmacodynamics (Effect)
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Inhibition of ß-(1,3)-D-glucan synthesis in the cell membrane of pathogenic fungal species, so that no incorporation into the cell wall occurs.

Indication
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Invasive candidiasis, invasive aspergillosis, if they do not respond to therapies with conventional and liposomal amphotericin B or itraconazole or if they are not tolerated these standard drugs

Limited indication
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Not in children < 18 years. Simultaneous use of Ciclosporin A (close monitoring of liver enzymes). Reduced maintenance dose in liver failure.

Pregnancy/nursing period
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So far no data on the use of caspofungin during pregnancy. Therefore, use only if therapeutic benefit justifies a possible risk for the unborn child.

Dosage and method of use
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  • Initial 70 mg i.v. on the 1st day of treatment, from day 2 on 50 mg/day i.v.
  • For patients > 80 kg: No dose reduction after initial dose, continue treatment with 70 mg/day i.v.
  • Notice! Dose reduction may be necessary in patients with liver failure.

Undesirable effects
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Rare: fever, thrombophlebitis, nausea/vomiting, flush.

Contraindication
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Neutropenia, allergy to caspofungin or other components of the drug.

Preparations
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Cancidas®

Literature
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  1. Brown AL, Greig JR (2003) Caspofungin versus amphotericin B for invasive candidiasis. N Engl J Med 348:1287-1288
  2. Letscher-Bru V, Herbrecht R (2003) Caspofungin: the first representative of a new antifungal class. J Antimicrob Chemother 51: 513-521
  3. Smith K et al (2003) Resolution of azole-resistant oesophageal candidiasis in an AIDS patient after treatment with caspofungin. AIDS 17: 448-449
  4. Walsh TJ (2002) Echinocandins--an advance in the primary treatment of invasive candidiasis. N Engl J Med 347: 2070-2072

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Last updated on: 29.10.2020