Cancidas

Cancidas Information

Cancidas is a brand name for a drug containing Caspofungin acetate as its main ingredient, and it is a drug that belongs in the antibiotics class of medications. It is mainly used to fight fungal infections, and it is available under the form of 50 mg or 70mg single use vials. Cancidas is generally available for IV injections.

Cancidas Indications

Generally Cancidas is used in the treatment of patients suffering from fungal infections, mainly those involving the lungs, stomach, esophagus or other internal organs. Generally, it is administered in cases in which fever is present, or in patients that have a low level of neurotrophils in their blood (condition known under the name of neurotropenia). It is also used to treat infections caused by the Candida fungus which affect the blood and esophagus. This drug has been proven as an effective medicine against intra-abdominal abscesses, pleural space infections as well as peritonitis. This medicine can also be employed in the treatment of possibly lethal fungal infections in cases where Amphotericin B or Itraconazole cannot be used.

Cancidas Warnings

It is highly advised against usage of Cancidas if you are allergic to this drug or any of its ingredients. Also, patients that are suffering from any liver disease should not be administered this drug, as it may cause an increase in the liver enzymes. If for any reason the patient needs to undergo treatment with this drug, the patient needs to be constantly monitored in order to detect and treat any possible unwanted effects as soon as possible. Cancidas may harm an unborn baby. Treatment of pregnant patients should be avoided, and also treatment of patients that are planning to become pregnant during or shortly after the treatment. It has not been established if this drug passes into breast milk. Caution should be employed if the patient is a nursing mother.

Cancidas Intake Guidelines

Cancidas is available as IV injection, under the form of powder which needs to be mixed with a certain solution before use. It is advised that it is administered slowly after ensuring that the needle has correctly entered the vein. Typically the injection is performed in a hospital or a clinic, by specialized health care professionals. It is possible for the patient to be taught how to self-administer the injections, however it is highly advised that the patient does not self-medicate without the personal health care specialist’s approval. Normal Cancidas treatment duration is of 14 days; however the duration of the therapy may be adjusted depending on case. Cancidas may only be used in conjunction with the appropriate solution. Dextrose or glucose solutions should never be used in combination with this drug.

Cancidas Dosage

Cancidas is available in vials of 50 mg or 70 mg, however the exact dose may vary from one case to another, depending on the patient’s age, medical history and general health condition. The prescribing doctor will indicate the exact dose appropriate for your case. It is highly advised that you follow the exact prescription and do not alter the dosage in any way, either by changing the intervals between injections or by modifying the dose quantity.

Cancidas Overdose

While the typical symptoms of Cancidas overdose have not been scientifically established, it is possible that they may lead to severe complications and possibly even death. If you have reasons to believe that you are affected by an overdose with this drug, you should immediately contact your personal health care specialist or the local poisons center, or move to the nearest hospital in order to receive emergency medical attention.

Cancidas Missed Dose

Normally, Cancidas injections are administered by a specialized health care professional, and thus missing a dose is not likely. However, if you have been allowed to use this drug at home and happen to miss a dose, you should take the dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for another dose, it is advised that you completely skip the missed dose and bring the situation to the attention of your personal health care specialist for further information. You should never take a double dose of Cancidas to make up for a missed one.

Cancidas Side Effects

Some patients are allergic to Cancidas or its ingredients, and may experience typical allergic reactions, such as hives, rashes, breathing difficulty and swelling of the face, throat lips or tongue. Apart from that, this medicine may cause some other side effects. Some of the most severe are pain, swelling or irritation at the site of the injection, flu symptoms such as fever, chills and body ache, swelling of the upper or lower limbs. Other severe side effects that may be caused by this drug are nausea, jaundice, stomach pain and loss of appetite; discoloration of the stool and urine may appear. Among the most common and also less serious side effects that are associated with usage of Cancidas, headache, mild nausea, diarrhea, increased sweating, skin rashes or redness and a tingly feel under the skin have been noted. There may be other side effects caused by Cancidas and are not listed here. It is advised that you immediately contact a specialized health care professional immediately if you begin experiencing any unexpected and / or bothersome symptoms.

Cancidas Drug Reactions

There are several drugs that may interact with Cancidas. Among these, the following are the most common, and should be avoided while following a treatment with this medicine: Cyclosporine, Tacrolimus, Rifampin, Efavirenz, Nevirapine, Dexamethasone, Phenytoin and Carbamazepine. Also, you should not start a treatment with Cancidas if you are already following therapy with any of these drugs. There may be other drugs and medications that interact with this drug, and are not listed here. For a complete list of drug reactions, you should ask your physician, a doctor or a nurse.