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Amphotericin B injection

What is amphotericin injection?

AMPHOTERICIN B (Fungizone®) is an antifungal type of antibiotic. It treats serious fungus infections throughout the body. Generic amphotericin B injections are available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive amphotericin B?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • anemia

  • kidney disease

  • fluid and electrolyte disorders (problems with the amount of water and salts in the body)

  • other chronic illness

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to amphotericin B, other antibiotics, dyes or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Amphotericin B solution is infused into a vein. It can also be instilled into body cavities, into the spine, or used to irrigate the bladder. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you feel better. Do not stop using except on your prescriber's advice. You will usually receive this medication in a hospital or clinic setting. If you do receive the medication at home, you will receive special instructions from your prescriber or health care professional.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with amphotericin B?

  • certain antibiotics given by injection

  • cyclosporine

  • digoxin

  • dofetilide

  • hormones such as prednisone or cortisone

  • medicines for cancer chemotherapy

  • medicines for fungal or yeast infections

  • pentamidine

  • torsemide

  • vancomycin

  • water pills

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking amphotericin B?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in a few days.

Keep a check on your urine output. Tell your prescriber or health care professional if you notice any changes.

After your course of treatment is finished, you may still have some side effects.

What side effects may I notice from receiving amphotericin B?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

Rare or uncommon:

  • blurred vision

  • chest tightness

  • redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

  • sore throat with fever

  • seizures (convulsions)

  • shortness of breath, wheezing

  • skin rash, itching

  • tingling or numbness in the hands or feet

  • unusual bleeding or bruising

More common:

  • fever or chills

  • headache

  • increase or decrease in the amount of urine

  • irregular heart beat (palpitations)

  • muscle cramps or pain

  • nausea, vomiting

  • pain at the injection site

  • pain or difficulty passing urine

  • unusual tiredness or weakness

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • diarrhea

  • indigestion

  • loss of appetite

  • stomach pain

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Amphotericin B oral suspension

What is amphotericin oral suspension?

AMPHOTERICIN B (Fungizone®) is an antifungal type of antibiotic. It treats fungus infections in the mouth and throat (thrush). Generic amphotericin B suspensions are not available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive amphotericin B?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to amphotericin B, other antibiotics, dyes or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Shake the bottle well before using. Amphotericin B oral suspension is taken by mouth, usually 4 times a day. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Place the suspension on your tongue with the dropper provided; do not touch the tip of the dropper on your tongue. Swish the liquid around in your mouth as long as you can before swallowing. Do not take amphotericin B oral suspension with meals. It is important that the solution remains in contact with the sores in your mouth for as long as possible. The liquid may also be applied by swabbing the lesions with a non-absorbent swab.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with amphotericin B?

  • certain other medicines for fungal or yeast infections

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking amphotericin B?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in a few days or if your sores come back after finishing the medicine. Make sure to continue using the medicine even if the sores get better to make sure they do not return.

If your mouth or throat becomes irritated, you develop more lesions or they get worse while using this medicine, call your prescriber or health care professional.

What side effects may I notice from receiving amphotericin B?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

Rare or uncommon:

  • redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

  • skin rash or hives

  • swelling

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • diarrhea

  • nausea or vomiting

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature. Protect from light and keep from freezing.

Amphotericin B skin cream, ointment, or lotion

What are amphotericin skin cream, ointment or lotion?

AMPHOTERICIN B (Fungizone®) is an antifungal type of antibiotic. It treats fungus infection of the skin or nails. Generic amphotericin B cream, ointment or lotion is not yet available.

What should my health care professional know before I use amphotericin B?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to amphotericin B, other antibiotics, dyes or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Amphotericin B cream, ointment, or lotion is only for external use on the skin. Wash hands before and after use. Apply a thin layer of the cream or ointment to cover the affected area. For the lotion, shake gently then apply to the affected area. You can cover the area with a sterile gauze dressing (bandage), but do not use an airtight bandage (such as a plastic-covered bandage). Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop using except on your prescriber's advice.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with amphotericin B?

Do not use any other skin products on the affected area of skin without consulting your prescriber or health care professional. Check before stopping or starting any of your medicines or non-prescription products.

What should I watch for while taking amphotericin B?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 1 to 2 weeks.

Your skin and clothing may get stained. You can remove clothing stains (from the cream or lotion) by washing with soap and warm water. You can remove clothing stains from the ointment with cleaning fluid.

If you think you have an allergic reaction; stop using the product and call your prescriber or health care professional.

To prevent the spread of infection, do not share skin products, or share towels and washcloths with anyone else. Throw away any unused skin products.

What side effects may I notice from using amphotericin B?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • contact dermatitis

  • skin irritation, burning, or redness

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • dry skin (for the cream)

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F); do not freeze. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Date Last Modified: 9/18/2006

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