caspofungin acetate at a glance
Medicine class
Echinocandin antifungal
Main role
Treatment or empirical therapy of selected invasive fungal infections
Administration
Slow intravenous infusion prepared and given by a healthcare professional
Treatment setting
Specialist-led hospital care
What is caspofungin acetate used for?
UK-licensed uses for the selected product are:
Invasive candidiasis in adults and children.
Invasive aspergillosis in adults and children when specified established antifungals have not worked or cannot be tolerated.
Empirical treatment of presumed fungal infection in adults or children with fever and neutropenia.
How does caspofungin acetate work?
Caspofungin blocks production of beta-(1,3)-D-glucan, an essential building material in many fungal cell walls that human cells do not contain. This weakens Candida cells and damages actively growing parts of Aspergillus.
caspofungin acetate preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 50 mg, 70 mg
How to take caspofungin acetate
Caspofungin is not taken by mouth. A healthcare professional reconstitutes and dilutes the powder before giving it through a vein.
It is given as a slow intravenous infusion.
Meal timing is not relevant.
Tell staff promptly if the infusion site becomes painful, swollen, red or itchy.
caspofungin acetate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Fever or chills
- Rash, itching, redness or increased sweating
- Inflammation, itching or discomfort around the infusion vein
- Joint pain
- Changes in liver tests, blood counts, albumin or potassium
Get urgent medical advice
- Anaphylaxis or another severe infusion-related reaction, including facial swelling, wheezing or breathing difficulty
- Severe skin reactions with blistering, peeling or sores affecting the mouth or other mucous membranes
- Significant liver dysfunction, including jaundice
- Serious or worsening breathing problems
caspofungin acetate in pregnancy
Human pregnancy information is very limited, while animal studies found developmental toxicity and placental transfer. UK product information advises use only when clearly necessary, following specialist assessment of the infection, alternatives and possible fetal risk.
caspofungin acetate while breastfeeding
UK product information advises women receiving caspofungin not to breastfeed because human milk data are unavailable and animal studies show milk transfer. Some expert literature predicts low infant exposure, so discuss any decision with the infection specialist, maternity team and a breastfeeding medicines service.
caspofungin acetate interactions
The clinical team should review all prescribed, non-prescription and herbal products. Important interactions include:
Cyclosporin
May increase caspofungin exposure and liver enzyme abnormalities; consider close liver-test monitoring.
Tacrolimus
Caspofungin can lower tacrolimus trough concentrations, requiring blood-level monitoring and specialist review.
Rifampicin
May reduce caspofungin exposure after repeated use, requiring review of antifungal management.
Efavirenz or nevirapine
Common questions about caspofungin acetate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What type of antifungal is caspofungin acetate?
It is an echinocandin antifungal that disrupts fungal cell-wall production.
Why is it usually given in hospital?
It treats serious invasive infections and must be prepared, infused and monitored by trained healthcare professionals.
Can it be taken by mouth?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.