Advice
following an abbreviated submission:
caspofungin acetate (Cancidas®) is accepted for use within NHS Scotland as empirical therapy for presumed fungal infections (such as Candida or Aspergillus) in febrile, neutropenic paediatric patients (12 months to 17 years).
The Scottish Medicines Consortium has previously accepted this product for restricted use for this indication in adults.
A comparative study in adults found that caspofungin was as effective as a lipid formulation of amphotericin in terms of overall response. In addition it was better tolerated with fewer drug-related adverse events including less nephrotoxicity and infusion-related events.
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Medicine details
- Medicine name:
- caspofungin (Cancidas)
- SMC ID:
- 551/09
- Indication:
- empirical therapy for presumed fungal infections.
- Pharmaceutical company
- MSD
- BNF chapter
- Infections
- Submission type
- Abbreviated
- Status
- Accepted
- Date advice published
- 11 May 2009