• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
• Interactions

What is amphotericin B?
Amphotericin B is an antibiotic that fights fungal infections in the body. Amphotericin B is used to treat serious, life-threatening fungal infections. It is not for use in treating a minor fungal infection such as a yeast infection of the mouth, esophagus, or vagina. Amphotericin is usually given after other antifungal antibiotics have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms. Amphotericin B may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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What are the possible side effects of amphotericin B?

Some people receiving an amphotericin B injection have had a reaction to the infusion (either when the medicine is injected into the vein or within 1 to 3 hours afterward). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, sweaty, feverish or cold, or if you have a slow heartbeat, chest tightness, or trouble breathing.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• dry mouth, increased thirst, nausea, vomiting;

• extreme drowsiness, restless feeling, confusion;

• urinating more or less than usual, or not at all;

• muscle pain or weakness, fast or uneven heart rate, feeling light-headed, fainting;

• seizure (convulsions);

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or

• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• pain, swelling, or other irritation where the needle is placed;

• mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach, loss of appetite;

• weight loss;

• muscle or joint aches;

• headache;

• warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin; or

• skin itching or mild rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

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How is amphotericin B given?
Amphotericin B is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take up to 6 hours to complete. While you are receiving your amphotericin B infusion, your caregivers will check your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and lung function about every 30 minutes. To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood cells, kidney function, and liver function may need to be tested on a regular basis. Amphotericin B can have long-lasting effects on your body. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor for blood or urine tests.

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What is the most important information I should know about amphotericin B?
Do not receive this medication if you are allergic to any formulation of amphotericin B (Abelcet, AmBisome, Amphotec, or Fungizone). Before you receive amphotericin B, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney disease or heart disease. Amphotericin B is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take up to 6 hours to complete.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Since amphotericin B is usually given while you are in the hospital, it is not likely you will miss a dose of this medication. If you are receiving amphotericin B in an outpatient clinic, call your doctor if you will miss an appointment for your amphotericin B injection.

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What other drugs will affect amphotericin B?
Before receiving amphotericin B, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs: flucytosine (Ancobon); digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps); pentamidine (Nebupent, Pentam); tacrolimus (Prograf); muscle relaxers; steroids (prednisone and others); antifungal antibiotics such as clotrimazole (Mycelex Troche), fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or itraconazole (Sporanox); antibiotics such as capreomycin (Capastat), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater), vancomycin (Vancocin, Vancoled);

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Amphotericin B has been assigned to pregnancy category B by the FDA. Animal studies have failed to reveal evidence of fetal harm. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Amphotericin B should only be given during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.

Amphotericin B crosses the human placenta, with cord blood to maternal serum drug concentration ratios averaging up to 1.0. There were no reports of adverse fetal effects or congenital defects associated with amphotericin B in the Collaborative Perinatal Project. This study was a retrospective analysis of 50,282 mother-child pairs, 9 of whom experienced first trimester exposure to amphotericin B.

There are no data on the excretion of amphotericin B into human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from amphotericin B, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Conventional amphotericin B, amphotericin B cholesteryl sulfate complex, amphotericin B lipid complex, and amphotericin B liposomal contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to amphotericin B or any component in the formulations.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include slow heart rate, and shallow breathing that slows or stops.

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What should I discuss with my health care provider before I receive amphotericin B?
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to any formulation of amphotericin B (Abelcet, AmBisome, Amphotec, or Fungizone). Before you receive amphotericin B, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have: kidney disease; or heart disease. If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely receive amphotericin B. FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
If you have been diagnosed with a disease for which an antibiotic is needed, you must complete the prescribed course of treatment. Even if you start to feel better, do not skip any doses and remember to take the medication until it is all gone.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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