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Amphotericin B
am-foe-TER-i-sin bee   Audio

Brand Name: Amphocin, Fungizone, AmBisome, Abelecet, Amphotec  Audio
Drug Class: Opportunistic Infection and Other Drugs
Amphotericin B, also known as Fungizone or Amphocin, belongs to the class of medicines called antifungals. Fungi are organisms that can cause infection in humans. Antifungals kill fungi or stop fungi from multiplying or spreading. Fungal infections occur more often in patients with weakened immune systems, including people with HIV, than in people with healthy immune systems. Fungal infections may also be more severe in patients with weakened immune systems, including people with HIV.

HIV/AIDS-Related Uses
Amphotericin B is approved by the FDA for the treatment of certain types of serious fungal infections. Amphotericin B is also used to prevent future fungal infections in HIV infected patients who have had serious fungal infections in the past.

Dosage Form/Administration
Amphotericin B comes in powder form that is mixed with sterile water and dextrose and is given by intravenous infusion. Amphotericin B should be administered by a doctor or nurse.


Contraindications
Individuals who have kidney disease or who are receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment should tell a doctor before taking this medicine.

Possible Side Effects
Most individuals taking amphotericin B will experience unwanted effects. The two most common side effects are a bad reaction when the drug is given and kidney problems.
When IV amphotericin B is given, individuals may experience fever, shaking chills, low blood pressure, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, headache, and difficulty breathing. This generally occurs within 1 to 3 hours of receiving amphotericin. Rarely, amphotericin B is associated with a more serious allergic reaction.
Kidney problems are a common side effect in individuals taking amphotericin B. Generally, kidney function returns to normal after individuals stop taking amphotericin. However, individuals may need to stop taking amphotericin B and switch to another drug because of kidney damage. Other forms of amphotericin B have been developed that do not damage the kidney as much as traditional amphotericin B. These forms are sold under the names AmBisome, Abelcet, and Amphotec. Individuals who cannot take traditional amphotericin B may be able to take one of these other forms.
Amphotericin B may also cause wheezing or trouble breathing; tightness in the chest; skin rash; itching; irregular heartbeat; muscle cramps or pain; pain at the site of injection; sore throat; unusual tiredness or weakness; unusual bleeding or bruising; numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in hands or feet; hearing loss or ringing in the ears; and blurred or double vision.

Individuals should tell a doctor if they have any of these side effects. Individuals taking this medicine should ask a doctor about medicines that may be taken to lessen these side effects.

Drug and Food Interactions
A doctor should be notified of any other medications being taken, including prescription, nonprescription (over-the-counter), or herbal medications.

Clinical Trials
Click here to search ClinicalTrials.gov for trials that use Amphotericin B.

Manufacturer Information
Fungizone
  Bristol - Myers Squibb Co
  PO Box 4500
  Princeton,  NJ  08543-4500
  (800) 321-1335
    

Amphotericin B
  Bristol - Myers Squibb Co
  PO Box 4500
  Princeton,  NJ  08543-4500
  (800) 321-1335
    

Amphocin
  Pfizer Inc
  235 East 42nd Street
  New York,  NY  10017-5755
  (800) 438-1985
    

Abelecet
  Enzon, Inc.
  20 Kingsbridge Road
  Piscataway,  NJ  08854-3969
  (908) 541-8600
    

Amphotec
  Oryx Pharmaceuticals Inc.
  6500 Kitimat Road
  Mississauga, Ontario,  Canada
    

AmBisome
  Fujisawa Healthcare Inc
  Parkway Center North / 3 Parkway North
  Deerfield,  IL  60015-2548
  (800) 727-7003
    
Updated March 20, 2008