What is amphotericin B liposomal?
Amphotericin B liposomal is an antibiotic that fights fungal infections in the body.
Amphotericin B liposomal is used to treat serious, life-threatening fungal infections,
including a certain form of meningitis in people infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency
virus).
Amphotericin B liposomal is not for use in treating a minor fungal infection such as a
yeast infection of the mouth, esophagus, or vagina.
Amphotericin B liposomal is usually given after other antifungal antibiotics have been
tried without successful treatment of symptoms.
Amphotericin B liposomal may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amphotericin B liposomal?
Do not receive this medication if you are allergic to any formulation of amphotericin
B (Abelcet, AmBisome, Amphotec, or Fungizone).
Before receiving amphotericin B liposomal, 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 not be able to receive
amphotericin B liposomal, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
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 liposomal 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.
How should I take amphotericin B liposomal?
Amphotericin B liposomal 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.
While you are receiving your amphotericin B liposomal infusion, your caregivers will
check your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and lung function about every 30 minutes.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood cells, kidney
function, and liver function may also need to be tested.
Amphotericin B liposomal can have long-lasting effects on your body. Do not miss any
follow-up visits to your doctor for blood or urine tests.
What happens if I miss a dose of amphotericin B liposomal?
Since amphotericin B liposomal is usually given while you are in the hospital, it is not
likely you will miss a dose of this medication.
If you are receiving amphotericin B liposomal in an outpatient clinic, call your doctor if
you will miss an appointment for your amphotericin B liposomal injection.
Where can I get more information about amphotericin B liposomal?
Your pharmacist has information about amphotericin B liposomal written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of amphotericin B liposomal?
Some people receiving an amphotericin B liposomal 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 you have a slow heartbeat, chest tightness, or trouble breathing.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Tell your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
chest pain;
-
dry mouth, increased thirst, nausea, vomiting;
-
extreme drowsiness, restless feeling, confusion;
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urinating more or less than usual, or not at all;
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muscle pain or weakness, fast or uneven heart rate, feeling
light-headed, fainting;
-
seizure (convulsions);
-
blood in your urine or stools, coughing up blood;
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fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
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pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or
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nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may also occur, such as:
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pain, swelling, or other irritation where the needle is placed;
-
mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach, loss of
appetite;
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weight loss;
-
muscle or joint aches;
-
headache;
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anxiety, sleep problems (insomnia);
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warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin; or
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sweating, skin itching, or mild rash.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about amphotericin B liposomal?
Do not receive this medication if you are allergic to any formulation of amphotericin
B (Abelcet, AmBisome, Amphotec, or Fungizone).
Before receiving amphotericin B liposomal, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any
drugs, or if you have kidney disease or heart disease.
Amphotericin B liposomal 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 2 hours to
complete.
Amphotericin B liposomal may need to be given for up several weeks or months,
depending on the infection being treated.
Some people receiving an amphotericin B liposomal 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 avoid while taking amphotericin B liposomal?
Amphotericin B liposomal may lower the blood cells that help your body fight other
infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around
others who are ill. Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses.
Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
What other drugs will affect amphotericin B liposomal?
Before receiving amphotericin B liposomal, tell your doctor if you are using any of the
following drugs:
-
flucytosine (Ancobon);
-
digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
-
pentamidine (Nebupent, Pentam);
-
tacrolimus (Prograf);
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muscle relaxers;
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steroids (prednisone and others);
-
antifungal antibiotics such as clotrimazole (Mycelex
Troche), fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or itraconazole (Sporanox);
-
antibiotics such as capreomycin (Capastat), rifampin
(Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater), vancomycin (Vancocin, Vancoled);
-
antiviral medicines such as acyclovir (Zovirax), adefovir
(Hepsera), cidofovir (Vistide), or foscarnet (Foscavir); or
-
cancer medicine such as aldesleukin (Proleukin),
carmustine (BiCNU, Gliadel), cisplatin (Platinol), ifosfamide (Ifex), oxaliplatin (Eloxatin),
plicamycin (Mithracin), streptozocin (Zanosar), or tretinoin (Vesanoid).
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to
receiveamphotericin B liposomal, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during
treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect amphotericin B liposomal. Tell your
doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes
vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a
new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of amphotericin B liposomal?
