Advice
following a full submission:
caspofungin (Cancidas) is accepted for restricted use within NHS Scotland for the empirical therapy for presumed fungal infections (such as Candida or Aspergillus) in febrile, neutropenic adult patients. It should be restricted to patients under the care of specialists experienced in the management of fungal disease.
A comparative study 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 drugrelated adverse events including less nephrotoxicity and infusion-related events. It is less expensive than another formulation of liposomal amphotericin, which has a licence for empirical use.
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Medicine details
- Medicine name:
- caspofungin (Cancidas)
- SMC ID:
- 147/04
- Indication:
- for the empirical therapy for presumed fungal infections (such as Candida or Aspergillus) in febrile, neutropenic adult patients. It should be restricted to patients under the care of specialists experienced in the management of fungal disease.
- Pharmaceutical company
- MSD
- BNF chapter
- Infections
- Submission type
- Full
- Status
- Restricted
- Date advice published
- 10 January 2005