What is amphotericin B?
Amphotericin B is an antibiotic that fights fungal infections in the body.
Amphotericin B is used to treat serious, life-threatening fungal infections. It is not for use in treating a minor fungal infection such as a yeast infection of the mouth, esophagus, or vagina.
Amphotericin is usually given after other antifungal antibiotics have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.
Amphotericin B may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about amphotericin B?
Do not receive this medication if you are allergic to any formulation of amphotericin B (Abelcet, AmBisome, Amphotec, or Fungizone).
Before you receive amphotericin B, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney disease or heart disease.
Amphotericin B is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting.
The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take up to 6 hours to complete.
Amphotericin B may need to be given for up to several weeks or months, depending on the infection being treated.
Some people receiving an amphotericin B injection have had a reaction to the infusion (either when the medicine is injected into the vein or within 1 to 3 hours afterward). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, sweaty, feverish or cold, or if have a slow heartbeat, chest tightness, or trouble breathing.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before I receive amphotericin B?
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to any formulation of amphotericin B (Abelcet, AmBisome, Amphotec, or Fungizone).
Before you receive amphotericin B, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
kidney disease; or
heart disease.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely receive amphotericin B.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether amphotericin B passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.