Candin

What is Candin?

• Candin (candida albicans skin test antigen) is a skin test antigen to assess cellular hypersensitivity to Candida albicans.
• Candin is made from the culture filtrate and cells of two strains of Candida albicans.
• The fungi are propagated in a chemically defined medium consisting of inorganic salts, biotin and sucrose.

What are the uses of this medicine?

• Candin (candida albicans skin test antigen) is a skin test antigen to assess cellular hypersensitivity to Candida albicans.

Limitaions of use:

• The product should not be used to diagnose or treat Type 1 allergy to Candida albicans.

How does this medicine work?

• Cellular hypersensitivity or delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) can be assessed by intracutaneous testing with bacterial, viral and fungal antigens to which most healthy persons are sensitized.
• A positive skin test denotes prior antigenic exposure, T-cell competency and an intact inflammatory response.
• The reaction usually peaks between 24 and 48 hours after antigen is introduced into the skin and is manifest as induration at the test site.

Who Should Not Use this medicine ?

This medicine cannot be used in patients with:

• previous unacceptable adverse reaction to this antigen or to a similar product, i.e., extreme hypersensitivity/allergy.

What drug interactions can this medicine cause?

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Be sure to mention any of the following:

• Corticosteroids and Imunosuppressive Drugs
• Beta-Blocking Drugs

Is this medicine FDA approved?

• Initial U.S. Approval: 1995

How should this medicine be used?

Recommended dosage:

• Candin® skin test dose is 0.1 mL administered intradermally.

Administration:

• Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.
• If particles or discoloration are observed, the product should not be used and it should be discarded.
• Candin® should be administered intradermally on the volar surface of the forearm or on the outer aspect of the upper arm.
• The skin should be cleansed with 70% alcohol before applying the skin test.
• A positive DTH reaction to Candin® consists of induration ≥ 5 mm.
• Do not inject intravenously.
• The reaction usually begins within 24 hours and peaks between 24 and 48 hours.
• The skin test should be read at 48 hours by visually inspecting the test site and palpating the indurated area.

What are the dosage forms and brand names of this medicine?

This medicine is available in fallowing doasage form:

• As intradermal injection supplied in a 1 mL multi-dose vial.

This medicine is available in fallowing brand namesː

• Candin

What side effects can this medication cause?

The most common side effects of this medicine include:

• Immediate hypersensitivity local reactions can include itching, swelling, pain and blistering at the test site occurring 15-20 minutes after administration. Necrosis is possible.
• Systemic reactions to Candin® have not been observed, however all foreign antigens have the remote possibility of causing Type 1 anaphylaxis and even death when injected intradermally.
• Severe local reactions, including rash, vesiculation, bullae, dermal exfoliation and cellulitis are possible in highly allergic persons.

What special precautions should I follow?

• The antigen must be injected intradermally. Do not inject intravenously.
• As has been observed with unstandardized antigens used for DTH skin testing, it is possible that some patients may have exquisite immediate hypersensitivity to Candin.
• Physicians using this product must have facilities, equipment and medication necessary to treat potential side effects. Epinephrine and oxygen must be immediately available in the event of a serious systemic response.
• The expected response to Candin® is a local area of inflammation at the site of the skin test. The reaction is usually dime to quarter size reaching maximum diameter between 24 and 48 hours. Larger accelerated reactions can occur, which may require treatment with local cold compresses and anti-inflammatory medication
• Local reactions to Candin® can include redness, swelling, pruritus, excoriation and discoloration of the skin. These reactions usually subside within hours or days after administration of the skin test. In some patients, skin discoloration may persist for several weeks.
• It is not known whether Candin® is excreted in human milk. Because drugs may be excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when this product is administered to a nursing woman.

What to do in case of emergency/overdose?

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• If a larger dose is administered, or if the dose is accidentally injected intravenously, the potential for a systemic reaction such as anaphylaxis is increased.

Management of overdosage:

• In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline of your country. In the United States, call 1-800-222-1222.

• Overdose related information is also available online at poisonhelp.org/help.
• In the event that the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services. In the United States, call 911.
• Epinephrine HCl at 1:1000 should be made available immediately as well as oxygen and emergency equipment.

Can this medicine be used in pregnancy?

• It is also not known whether Candin can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity.
• Candin should be given to pregnant women only if clearly needed.

Can this medicine be used in children?

• The safety and effectiveness of intradermally administered Candin® have not been established in children.

What are the active and inactive ingredients in this medicine?

Active ingredient:

• CANDIDA ALBICANS

Inactive ingredients:

• ALBUMIN HUMAN
• SODIUM CHLORIDE
• SODIUM BICARBONATE
• POLYSORBATE 80
• PHENOL
• WATER

Who manufactures and distributes this medicine?

• Mfg. by Allermed Laboratories, Inc.
• San Diego, CA

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

• Store between 2 - 8°C.
• Do not freeze.

• Dailymed label info on Candin
• FDA Candin

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