Drug interactions
Caspofungin + Phenytoin
Severity: Moderate
Caspofungin and Phenytoin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Phenytoin, an enzyme inducer, may lower caspofungin exposure. Reduced antifungal exposure could compromise treatment of invasive fungal infection.
What this interaction means in plain words
Caspofungin and Phenytoin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Caspofungin belongs to Anti Fungals; Phenytoin belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Phenytoin induces hepatic enzymes and possibly transport pathways, increasing caspofungin clearance.
What to do
Consider caspofungin 70 mg daily after the loading dose in adults when given with phenytoin, and monitor clinical response.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Caspofungin
- Apalutamide + Caspofungin Moderate
- Carbamazepine + Caspofungin Moderate
- Caspofungin + Cyclosporin Moderate
- Caspofungin + Cyclosporine Moderate
- Caspofungin + Dexamethasone Moderate
- Caspofungin + Efavirenz Moderate
Other interactions of Phenytoin
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Bictegravir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Elbasvir / grazoprevir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Phenytoin Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Caspofungin with Phenytoin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Caspofungin and Phenytoin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Phenytoin, an enzyme inducer, may lower caspofungin exposure. Reduced antifungal exposure could compromise treatment of invasive fungal infection.
How serious is the interaction between Caspofungin and Phenytoin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Consider caspofungin 70 mg daily after the loading dose in adults when given with phenytoin, and monitor clinical response.
What other medicines interact with Caspofungin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Caspofungin with, for example, Apalutamide, Carbamazepine, Cyclosporin. The full list is on the Caspofungin page.
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