Caspofungin

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