Amphotericin B

Introduction To Amphotericin B

Amphotericin B is an antifungal medication. It is used in the treatment of severe fungal infections and kala-azar. It kills the infection causing fungi and thus, treats the infection.

Amphotericin B is administered as an injection by a healthcare professional. Kindly do not self administer. Before you take this medicine, inform your doctor if you suffer from diabetes, liver/kidney problems or are on dialysis or have low potassium level in blood.

It may lead to a few common side effects like headache, vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps and fever. You may also notice some injection site reactions like pain, swelling or redness. Inform your doctor if these side effects persist for a longer duration. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding.

Uses of Amphotericin B

  • Severe fungal infections
  • Kala-azar

Benefits of Amphotericin B

Severe fungal infections
Amphotericin B works by killing the fungi which can cause serious infections. It is given by a doctor or nurse and should not be self-administered. It usually makes you feel better very quickly but you should continue taking it as prescribed even when you feel better to make sure that all the fungi and yeast causing the infection are killed and do not become resistant.

Kala-azar
Kala azar is a disease caused by leishmania parasites mainly by the bite of infected sandflies. Amphotericin B helps to kill the infection causing parasites and helps to treat the infection. This medicine is given by a doctor or nurse and should not be self-administered. It usually makes you feel better very quickly but you should continue taking it as prescribed even when you feel better to make sure that all the parasites are killed and do not become resistant.

Side effects of Amphotericin B

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Mycoflu-E

  • Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Chills
  • Headache
  • Anemia (low number of red blood cells)
  • Decreased potassium level in blood
  • Abnormal liver function tests
  • Decreased magnesium level in blood
  • Diarrhea
  • Decreased appetite
  • Hypotension (low blood pressure)
  • Skin rash
  • Nephrocalcinosis
  • Increased creatinine level in blood
  • Abnormal renal function tests
  • Renal tubular acidosis

How to use Amphotericin B

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

How Amphotericin B works

Amphotericin B is an antifungal medication. It kills fungi by destroying the fungal cell membrane.

Quick tips

  • It is usually given as an injection over 1-2 hours under the supervision of a medical professional.

  • Amphotericin B can cause rash, chills, headache, and tiredness during initial days of the treatment, but these may fade away with time.

  • Your doctor may ask you for regular blood tests to monitor your blood sugar, potassium, magnesium and kidney function.

  • Inform your doctor immediately if you notice pain or blood upon urination, swelling of the face and trouble breathing.

  • Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Safety Advice

sdsPregnancySAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Can I take Amphotericin B if I’m pregnant?

Amphotericin B is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby; however, there are limited human studies.

sdsBreastfeedingCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Can I take Amphotericin B if I’m breastfeeding?

Amphotericin B is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.

sdsAlcoholCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Is drinking alcohol while taking Amphotericin B safe?

It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Amphotericin B. Please consult your doctor.

sdsDrivingUNSAFE

Can I drive after taking Amphotericin B?

Amphotericin B may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.

sdsKidneySAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Can I take Amphotericin B if I have/had kidney diseases?

Amphotericin B is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Amphotericin B is recommended. However, inform your doctor if you have any underlying kidney disease.

sdsLiverCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Can I take Amphotericin B if I have/had liver diseases?

There is limited information available on the use of Amphotericin B in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is Amphotericin B fungistatic or fungicidal?

Amphotericin B is fungicidal in nature, it acts by killing the fungus

Q. Is Amphotericin B light sensitive?

Amphotericin B is not light sensitive

Q. What is Amphotericin B liposomal?

Liposomal Amphotericin B is a lipid-associated formulation. Liposomal encapsulation or incorporation into a lipid complex of Amphotericin B can substantially improves drug safety especially nephrotoxicity associated with the drug

Q. Is Amphotericin B an antibiotic?

Yes, Amphotericin B is an antifungal antibiotic for the treatment of serious infections caused by fungi like fungal infections of one or more deep organs of the body, suspected fungal infections in patients with a raised temperature and neutropenia (reduced number of white blood cells [neutrophils]) and Visceral leishmaniasis (disease caused by a parasite)

Q. Is Amphotericin B testing dose needed?

Yes, administration of Amphotericin B is associated with allergy (severe and serious allergic) reaction, therefore it is recommended to administer a test dose before starting the therapy to check for sensitivity

Q. How is Amphotericin B administered?

Amphotericin B is either administered as intravenous injection or infusion by a registered medical professional only

Q. How does Amphotericin B cause nephrotoxicity and hyperkalemia?

Amphotericin B can disrupt the lipid components of human kidney cells, thereby causing nephrotoxicity. The exact mechanism of hypokalemia is not known, but kidney damage may result in excessive loss of potassium in urine.

References

Written By:

Dr Advikka Ridhy

Dr Advikka Ridhy

MBBS

RMO, Aster MIMS

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