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Generic Name: amphotericin B liposomal (am foe TER i sin lye poe SO mal)
Brand Names: AmBisome

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 is the most important information I should know about amphotericin B liposomal?

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.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving amphotericin B liposomal?

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.

How is amphotericin B liposomal given?

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.

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?

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.

What happens if I overdose?

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

What should I avoid while receiving 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.

Amphotericin B liposomal 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.

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);

• 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.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has information about amphotericin B liposomal written for health professionals that you may read.

• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.