Cancidas
Cancidas is the brand name for caspofungin acetate, an intravenous antifungal agent in the echinocandin class. It works by inhibiting 1,3-beta-D-glucan synthase, an enzyme essential for fungal cell-wall synthesis, which leads to osmotic instability and fungal cell death. The drug has activity against most Candida species, including Candida albicans and Candida glabrata, with variable activity against other fungi. It is not active against Cryptococcus neoformans and has limited activity against certain molds; its use for invasive aspergillosis is generally as salvage therapy in patients not responding to, or intolerant of, other treatments.
Indications approved for Cancidas include treatment of candidemia and other invasive Candida infections, such as intra-abdominal
Administration and pharmacokinetics: Cancidas is given by intravenous infusion. In adults, the typical regimen is a
Safety and adverse effects: Common adverse events include infusion-related reactions (such as flushing or fever), rash,
See also: echinocandins, other antifungal agents such as micafungin and anidulafungin.