Amphotericin B
About Amphotericin B
Amphotericin B is a prescription injection used to treat serious, potentially life-threatening fungal infections throughout the body. It is also prescribed to treat certain severe parasitic infections when other options are not suitable.
Because this medication is given as an injection or slow infusion into a vein, it is typically given by a healthcare professional in a hospital or specialised clinic. The frequency of your treatment depends on your specific medical condition and how well your body responds to the therapy. Staying well-hydrated and maintaining a balanced diet are important lifestyle habits that can support your body's recovery during this therapy.
Some people may experience side effects during treatment, such as fever, shaking, chills, nausea, or changes in kidney function. It is highly important to consult your doctor immediately if you experience severe symptoms like extreme weakness, an irregular heartbeat, or difficulty breathing.
Talk to your doctor before starting this medicine if you have a history of kidney disease, liver damage, heart conditions, or low levels of potassium or magnesium. Do not take this if you have had a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction to this medicine or any of its ingredients in the past.
This medicine can interact with other drugs, especially those that can cause kidney damage, as well as certain water pills or steroids. Always tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you are caring for an elderly patient, as these groups require careful medical supervision during treatment.
Uses of Amphotericin B
Medicinal Benefits
Amphotericin B helps treat severe fungal infections that can affect different parts of the body, supporting recovery and improving overall health.
The following are the benefits of this medication:
- Highly effective at reaching and clearing severe infections that other antifungal medicines might not be strong enough to cure.
- Rapidly targets the cell walls of fungi, helping prevent the infection from spreading to other vital organs in your body.
- This medication is a trusted choice for doctors managing critical, systemic infections, helping patients recover and regain their health.
Directions for Use
- Your doctor will determine the dosage and timing of Amphotericin B based on the severity of your infection. Typically, it is administered once daily.
- Amphotericin B is administered by a healthcare professional in the hospital.
- Do not self-administer it.
Storage
Side Effects of Amphotericin B
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Fever and shaking chills (often occurring during the injection)
- Nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset
- Headache or muscle pain
- Loss of appetite or weight loss
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Signs of kidney damage, such as producing less urine than normal or swelling in your feet or legs
- Signs of low potassium, including muscle weakness, severe muscle cramps, or an irregular heartbeat
- Severe allergic reactions, including skin rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, and difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath, chest tightness, or severe dizziness
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Inspect the solution: Your healthcare provider will inspect the vial before use; the liquid must be free of unusual particles or cloudiness unless using a specific lipid version, which is naturally milky.
- Expect blood tests: Prepare for regular blood and urine tests during your treatment so your doctor can monitor your kidney health, liver function, and mineral levels.
- Manage infusion reactions: Let your nurse know if y ouexperience fever or chills during the injection; your doctor can give you preventive medicines like acetaminophen or antihistamines beforehand.
- Monitor the injection site: Tell your nurse immediately if you feel any burning, pain, redness, or swelling where the needle is inserted.
- Complete the full course: Even if you start feeling much better, do not skip or stop treatments early, as the infection could return.
Drug Interactions
- Other medicines that can cause kidney damage (e.g., certain antibiotics, cancer medicines, or pain relievers): Combining Amphotericin B with these medications can significantly increase the risk of kidney problems.
- Water pills (diuretics) and steroids (e.g., furosemide, prednisone): Taking these alongside Amphotericin B can cause your blood potassium levels to drop dangerously low.
- Heart medications (e.g., digitalis): Low potassium levels caused by Amphotericin B can increase the risk of toxic heart rhythms from digitalis.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionThe interaction of Amphotericin B with alcohol is unknown. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorAmphotericin B is a Category B pregnancy drug and is given to a pregnant woman if the doctor thinks the benefits outweigh the risks. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorIt is unknown whether Amphotericin B is excreted in human milk. If you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before receiving this injection.
Driving
cautionAvoid driving after taking Amphotericin B as it may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
consult your doctorInform your doctor if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions before receiving Amphotericin B.
Kidney
consult your doctorInform your doctor if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions before receiving Amphotericin B.
Children
cautionAmphotericin B is not recommended for children below one month as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay well-hydrated: Drink plenty of water and clear fluids as advised by your doctor. Adequate hydration is crucial to help protect your kidneys while receiving this medicine.
- Eat mineral-rich foods: Since this medicine can cause your body to lose potassium and magnesium, incorporate foods like bananas, leafy greens, avocados, and nuts into your diet if your doctor agrees.
- Prioritise rest: Give your body ample time to heal by getting plenty of sleep and avoiding strenuous physical activities during your treatment course.
- Eat small, frequent meals: If you experience nausea or a loss of appetite, eating smaller portions throughout the day can help you maintain your strength.
Special Advise
- Regular blood tests are recommended while taking Amphotericin B to monitor blood, liver or kidney functioning and potassium levels.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Fungal infection is a disease in which fungi attack the tissue and cause infection. Fungi are commonly present in nature but do not cause infections normally. However, if the person has a weak immune system, certain types of fungi may infect them. Cryptococcal meningitis is a fungal infection of tissues covering the spinal cord (meninges) and brain. The symptoms include headache, hallucinations, fever, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, nausea and vomiting. Fungal infections in the lungs may be more serious and life-threatening and often cause symptoms similar to tuberculosis or bacterial pneumonia.
FAQs
Amphotericin B is used to treat severe fungal infections like leishmaniasis.
Amphotericin B contains Amphotericin B, an antifungal that works by damaging fungal cell membranes, thereby killing fungi.
You are not recommended to take Amphotericin B with furosemide as co-administration of these medicines may increase the risk of hypokalaemia (low potassium levels in the blood), and in severe cases, it may lead to paralysis, muscle weakness, irregular heart rhythm, difficulty in breathing or swallowing. However, please consult your doctor before taking Amphotericin B with other medicines.
Amphotericin B may cause blue lips and skin, probably during infusion or in the initial 2 days of treatment. However, your doctor or nurse may arrange certain simple treatments to control such adverse effects.
Yes, a test dose of Amphotericin B may be given in smaller amounts before starting the treatment to check if you are sensitive to any of the ingredients.
No. Amphotericin B is not effective against viral infections. It is an antifungal medicine that works by damaging fungal cell membranes and is used only for the treatment of severe fungal infections and certain parasitic infections such as leishmaniasis.
Amphotericin B is administered as an intravenous (IV) infusion by a healthcare professional. It should not be self-administered and is not available as a tablet or pill for treating severe systemic fungal infections because it is poorly absorbed from the stomach.
Amphotericin B is fungicidal in nature, it works by killing the infection-causing fungus.
Inform the doctor if you are allergic to any of the components in Amphotericin B or if you experience allergic reactions during treatment with Amphotericin B. Let the doctor know if you have kidney problems, diabetes, or if you are taking any other medicines.
Amphotericin B is an antifungal medication used to treat severe fungal infections like leishmaniasis
Common side effects include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, headache, and muscle cramps or pain. Fever and chills commonly occur during the infusion and can often be managed by slowing the infusion or giving additional medicines. Inform your doctor or nurse if these symptoms are severe or persistent.
This medicine can affect your kidneys and lower your body's levels of essential minerals like potassium. Regular blood tests allow your healthcare team to monitor your organ function and keep you safe. Talk to your doctor about how often you will need these tests.
This medicine is generally used during pregnancy only if the potential benefits outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Your doctor will make this decision based on your specific medical situation. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
While kidney function often decreases during treatment, it usually returns to normal or improves after the medicine is stopped. Your healthcare team will monitor you closely to prevent severe damage. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your kidney health.
Some patients may feel dizzy, weak, or tired after receiving this medicine. It is highly recommended to have someone else drive you home, especially after your first few treatment sessions. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about whether it is safe for you to drive.
Because of the risk of infusion reactions and the need for careful preparation, this medicine is almost always given in a hospital or specialised infusion clinic. In rare cases, home-care nurses may give it if appropriate monitoring is set up. Talk to your doctor to see what options are available for you.
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