Description

Amphotericin B is indicated for the following: Empirical therapy for presumed fungal infection in febrile, neutropenic patients. Treatment of Cryptococcal Meningitis in HIV infected patients  Treatment of patients with Aspergillus species, Candida species and/or Cryptococcus species infections refractory to amphotericin B deoxycholate, or in patients where renal impairment or unacceptable toxicity precludes the use of amphotericin B deoxycholate. Treatment of visceral leishmaniasis. In immunocompromised patients with visceral leishmaniasis treated with Amphotericin B, relapse rates were high following initial clearance of parasites

Amphotericin B is contraindicated in those patients who have demonstrated or have known hypersensitivity to amphotericin B deoxycholate or any other constituents of the product unless, in the opinion of the treating physician, the benefit of therapy outweighs the risk.

Common side effects are Fever, chills, convulsions, malaise; nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, anorexia; tinnitus, vertigo, hearing loss; hypotension, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias; peripheral neuropathy; phloebitis, pain at Inj site, disturbances in renal function and renal toxicity.

Pregnancy Category B. There have been no adequate and well-controlled studies of Amphotericin B in pregnant women. It is not known whether Amphotericin B is excreted in human milk.

As with any amphotericin B-containing product the drug should be administered by medically trained personnel. During the initial dosing period, patients should be under close clinical observation. amphotericin B has been shown to be significantly less toxic than amphotericin B deoxycholate; however, adverse events may still occur.

Other Antifungal preparations

Aseptically add 12 mL of Sterile Water for Injection, to each Amphotericin B vial to yield a preparation containing 4 mg amphotericin B/mL. Immediately after the addition of water, shake the vial vigorously for 30 seconds to completely disperse the Amphotericin B. This forms a yellow, translucent suspension. Visually inspect the vial for particulate matter and continue shaking until completely dispersed.