What is AmBisome (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 AmBisome (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.

AmBisome Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of AmBisome (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
• urinating more or less than usual, or not at all
• muscle pain or weakness, fast or uneven heart rate, feeling light-headed, fainting
• seizure (convulsions)
• blood in your urine or stools, coughing up blood
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or
• 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:

• pain, swelling, or other irritation where the needle is placed
• mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach, loss of appetite
• weight loss
• muscle or joint aches
• headache
• anxiety, sleep problems (insomnia)
• warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin; or
• 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.

AmBisome Interactions

What other drugs affect AmBisome (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)
• muscle relaxers
• 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 should I avoid while taking AmBisome (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.

AmBisome Dosage

How should I take AmBisome (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 overdose on AmBisome (Amphotericin B Liposomal)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of an amphotericin B liposomal overdose may include urinating less than usual or not at all.

What happens if I miss a dose of AmBisome (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.

Edited from everydayhealth.com