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Caspofungin
From WikEM
Contents
Administration
- Type: Antifungal, particularly used for aspergillosis and candidiasis
- Dosage Forms:
- Routes of Administration: IV
- Common Trade Names:
Adult Dosing
- 50-150 mg IV daily
Pediatric Dosing
3 months or older
- 50-70 mg/m(2) daily
Special Populations
- Pregnancy Rating: C
- Lactation risk: Infant risk cannot be ruled out
Renal Dosing
- Adult:
- Pediatric:
Hepatic Dosing
- Adult:
- Pediatric:
Contraindications
- Allergy to class/drug
Adverse Reactions
Serious
- Erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- Pancreatitis, hepatic failure
- Sepsis
- Nephrotoxicity
- Pleural effusion, respiratory distress
- Angioedema
Common
- Hypotension
- Rash
- Diarrhea
- Histaminergic reaction (flushing, warmth, pruritus)
- Transaminitis
- Fever
Pharmacology
- Half-life: 13-15 hours
- Metabolism: spontaneous degradation, hydrolysis and N-acetylation
- Excretion: Fecal, renal
Mechanism of Action
- Inhibits beta (1,3)-D-glucan synthesis in fungal cell wall
