Caspofungin Acetate

CASPOFUNGIN ACETATE- caspofungin acetate injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution
Fosun Pharma USA Inc.

1 INDICATIONS & USAGE

1.1 Empirical Therapy for Presumed Fungal Infections in Febrile, Neutropenic Patients

Caspofungin acetate for injection is indicated as empirical therapy for presumed fungal infections in febrile, neutropenic adult and pediatric patients (3 months of age and older) [ see Clinical Studies (14.1,14.5) ].

1.2 Treatment of Candidemia and Other Candida Infections

Caspofungin acetate for injection is indicated for the treatment of candidemia and the following candida infections: intra-abdominal abscesses, peritonitis, and pleural space infections in adult and pediatric patients (3 months of age and older) [ see Clinical Studies (14.2), (14.5) ].
Limitations of Use : Caspofungin acetate for injection has not been studied in endocarditis, osteomyelitis, and meningitis due to Candida.

1.3 Treatment of Esophageal Candidiasis

Caspofungin acetate for injection is indicated for the treatment of esophageal candidiasis in adult and pediatric patients (3 months of age and older) [s ee Clinical Studies (14.3, 14.5) ]
Limitations of Use: Caspofungin acetate for injection has not been approved for the treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC). In the study that evaluated the efficacy of caspofungin in the treatment of esophageal candidiasis, patients with concomitant OPC had higher relapse rate of the OPC [ see Clinical Studies (14.3) ]

1.4 Treatment of Invasive Aspergillosis in Patients Who Are Refractory to or Intolerant of Other Therapies

Caspofungin acetate for injection is indicated for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis in adult and pediatric patients (3 months of age and older) who are refractory to or intolerant of other therapies [ see Clinical Studies (14.4, 14.5) ].
Limitations of Use : Caspofungin acetate for injection has not been studied as initial therapy for invasive aspergillosis.

2 DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Important Administration Instructions for Use in All Patients

Administer caspofungin acetate for injection by slow intravenous (IV) infusion over approximately 1 hour. Do not administer caspofungin acetate for injection by IV bolus administration.

2.2 Recommended Dosage in Adult Patients [18 years of age and older]

The dosage and duration of caspofungin acetate for injection treatment for each indications are as follows:
Empirical Therapy for Presumed Fungal Infections in Febrile Neutropenic Patients

Administer single 70-mg loading dose on Day 1, followed by 50 mg once daily thereafter. Duration of treatment should be based on the patient’s clinical response. Empirical therapy until resolution of neutropenia. In general, treat patients found to have a fungal infection for a minimum of 14 days after the last positive culture and continue for at least 7 days after both neutropenia and clinical symptoms are resolved. If the 50-mg dose is well tolerated but does not provide an adequate clinical response, the daily dose can be increased to 70 mg.
Candidemia and Other Candida Infections
Administer a single 70-mg loading dose on Day 1, followed by 50 mg once daily thereafter. Duration of treatment should be dictated by the patient’s clinical and microbiological response. In general, continue antifungal therapy for at least 14 days after the last positive culture. Patients with neutropenia who remain persistently neutropenic may warrant a longer course of therapy pending resolution of the neutropenia.
Esophageal Candidiasis
The dose is 50 mg once daily for 7 to 14 days after symptom resolution. A 70-mg loading dose has not been studied for this indication. Because of the risk of relapse of oropharyngeal candidiasis in patients with HIV infections, suppressive oral therapy could be considered [ see Clinical Studies (14.3 )].
Invasive Aspergillosis
A single 70-mg loading dose on Day 1, followed by 50 mg once daily thereafter. Duration of treatment should be based upon the severity of the patient’s underlying disease, recovery from immunosuppression, and clinical response.

2.3 Recommended Dosing in Pediatric Patients [3 months to 17 years of age]

For all indications, administer a single 70-mg/m ² loading dose on Day 1, followed by 50 mg/m ² once daily thereafter. The maximum loading dose and the daily maintenance dose should not exceed 70 mg, regardless of the patient’s calculated dose . Dosing in pediatric patients (3 months to 17 years of age) should be based on the patient’s body surface area (BSA) as calculated by the Mosteller Formula [ see References (15) ]:

Following calculation of the patient’s BSA, the loading dose in milligrams should be calculated as BSA (m ²) X 70 mg/m ². The maintenance dose in milligrams should be calculated as BSA (m ²) X 50 mg/m ².
Duration of treatment should be individualized to the indication, as described for each indication in adults [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)]. If the 50-mg/m ² daily dose is well tolerated but does not provide an adequate clinical response, the daily dose

can be increased to 70 mg/m ² daily (not to exceed 70 mg).

2.4 Dosage Adjustments in Patients with Hepatic Impairment

Adult patients with mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score 5 to 6) do not need a dosage adjustment. For adult patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score 7 to 9), caspofungin 35 mg once daily is recommended based upon pharmacokinetic data [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] with a 70-mg loading dose administered on Day 1 where appropriate. There is no clinical experience in adult patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score greater than 9) and in pediatric patients with any degree of hepatic impairment.

2.5 Dosage Adjustments in Patients Receiving Concomitant Inducers of Hepatic CYP Enzymes

Adult Patients:
Adult patients on rifampin should receive 70 mg of caspofungin acetate for injection once daily. When caspofungin acetate for injection is co-administered to adult patients with other inducers of hepatic CYP enzymes such as nevirapine, efavirenz, carbamazepine, dexamethasone, or phenytoin, administration of a daily dose of 70 mg of caspofungin acetate for injection should be considered. [ see Drug Interactions (7) ].
Pediatric Patients:
Pediatric patients on rifampin should receive 70 mg/m ² of caspofungin acetate for injection daily (not to exceed an actual daily dose of 70 mg). When caspofungin acetate for injection is co-administered to pediatric patients with other inducers of hepatic CYP enzymes, such as efavirenz, nevirapine, phenytoin, dexamethasone, or carbamazepine, a caspofungin acetate for injection dose of 70 mg/m ² once daily (not to exceed 70 mg) should be considered [ see Drug Interactions (7) ].