DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

• Amphocin
• Fungizone Intravenous

In Canada—

• Fungizone Intravenous

Generic name product may be available in the U.S.

Category

• Antifungal, systemic
• antiprotozoal

Description

Amphotericin B (am-foe-TER-i-sin Bee) is an antifungal. It is used to help the body overcome serious fungus infections. It may also be used for other problems as determined by your doctor.

Amphotericin B is available only with your doctor's prescription. It is available in the following dosage form:

• Parenteral
• Injection (U.S. and Canada)

Before Receiving This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For amphotericin B, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to amphotericin B. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Amphotericin B has not been reported to cause birth defects or other problems in humans.

Breast-feeding—Amphotericin B has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—Although there is no specific information comparing use of amphotericin B in children with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of amphotericin B in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking amphotericin B, it is especially important that your health care professional knows if you are taking any of the following:

• Antineoplastics (cancer medicine) or
• Antithyroid agents (medicine for overactive thyroid) or
• Azathioprine (e.g., Imuran) or
• Chloramphenicol (e.g., Chloromycetin) or
• Colchicine or
• Cyclophosphamide (e.g., Cytoxan) or
• Flucytosine (e.g., Ancobon) or
• Ganciclovir (e.g., Cytovene) or
• Interferon (e.g., Intron A, Roferon-A) or
• Mercaptopurine (e.g., Purinethol) or
• Zidovudine (e.g., AZT, Retrovir) or
• X-ray treatment—Use of amphotericin B with any of these medicines or x-ray treatment may increase the chance of side effects affecting the blood

• Bumetanide (e.g., Bumex) or
• Carmustine (e.g., BiCNU) or
• Cisplatin (e.g., Platinol) or
• Combination pain medicine containing acetaminophen and aspirin (e.g., Excedrin) or other salicylates (with large amounts taken regularly) or
• Cyclosporine (e.g., Sandimmune) or
• Deferoxamine (e.g., Desferal) (with long-term use) or
• Diuretics (water pills) or
• Ethacrynic acid (e.g., Edecrin) or
• Furosemide (e.g., Lasix) or
• Gold salts (medicine for arthritis) or
• Indapamide (e.g., Lozol) or
• Inflammation or pain medicine, except narcotics, or
• Lithium (e.g., Lithane) or
• Other medicine for infection or
• Plicamycin (e.g., Mithracin) or
• Streptozocin (e.g., Zanosar) or
• Tacrolimus (e.g., Prograf) or
• Tiopronin (e.g., Thiola)—Using these medicines with amphotericin B may increase the risk of side effects affecting the kidneys

• Corticosteroids (cortisone-like medicine) or
• Corticotropin (ACTH)—Use of amphotericin B with these medicines may cause changes in the blood that may increase the chance for heart problems

• Digitalis glycosides (heart medicine)—Use of amphotericin B with digitalis medicines (such as digoxin) may cause changes in the blood that may increase the chance of heart problems

• Methotrexate (e.g., Mexate) or
• Penicillamine (e.g., Cuprimine)—Using these medicines with amphotericin B may increase the risk of side effects affecting the blood and the kidneys

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of amphotericin B. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Kidney disease—Amphotericin B may cause side effects affecting the kidneys

Proper Use of This Medicine

Dosing—The dose of amphotericin B will be different for different patients. The following information includes only the average doses of amphotericin B. Your dose may be different if you have kidney disease.

• For the injection dosage form:
  • Adults and children: A small test dose is usually given first to see how you react to the medicine. The dose is then increased, depending on what your infection is and how well you tolerate the medicine. The dose must be determined by your doctor.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your health care professional immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Revised: 06/08/1999

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