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Amphotericin B (Liposomal)
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Description
Amphotericin B (Liposomal) is an antifungal medicine. It is used to treat serious and life-threatening fungal infections caused by different fungal species. This medicine works by stopping the growth of fungi.
Amphotericin B (Liposomal) shows side effects like decreased potassium levels, nausea, vomiting, chills, diarrhoea, weakness, etc. Consult your doctor if any of these side effects do not resolve with time or worsen. Avoid receiving this medicine if you are allergic to it.
Amphotericin B (Liposomal) will be administered in a hospital setting by a healthcare professional. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of treatment based on the severity of the infection. Do not self administer this medicine.
Amphotericin B (Liposomal) should be used with caution if you have kidney problems. Inform your doctor if you are taking any other medicines to avoid undesired effects. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Amphotericin B (Liposomal)
Irregular heart beat
Fever and chills
Diarrhoea
Decreased potassium levels
Anaemia
Cough
Stomach pain
Headache
Pain at injection site
Nausea and Vomiting
Chest pain
Uses of Amphotericin B (Liposomal)
What is it prescribed for?
Invasive Aspergillosis
Invasive aspergillosis is a fungal infection caused by a common mold (fungus) called Aspergillus. It occurs in individuals having a weak immune system due to cancer treatment, bone marrow transplantation (a medical treatment that replaces your bone marrow with healthy cells), organ transplant, etc. Amphotericin B (Liposomal) is used to treat invasive aspergillosis.
Candidemia
Candidemia is a condition where the fungi of the Candida species are present in the blood causing infection. Amphotericin B (Liposomal) is used to treat candidemia.
Cryptococcosis
Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus species that mainly affects the lungs causing severe pneumonia. If not controlled, it can affect the brain causing meningitis (swelling of the fluid and membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord). Amphotericin B (Liposomal) is used to treat Cryptococcosis.
Febrile Neutropenia
Neutropenia is the low levels of a type of white blood cell called neutrophils. Febrile neutropenia is a condition causing high-grade fever due to low levels of neutrophils, which may increase the risk of acquiring several other infections. Amphotericin B (Liposomal) is used in the treatment of fungal infections if you have febrile neutropenia.
Leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis is a parasite infection caused by the Leishmania species. It spreads through the bite of sand flies. This infection is characterised by an enlarged spleen and liver, fever, chills, decreased production of blood cells, weakness, weight loss, etc. Amphotericin B (Liposomal) is used in the treatment of Leishmaniasis in people with a weakened immune system.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
The time Amphotericin B (Liposomal) takes to show its action is not known.Duration of effect
The amount of time for which Amphotericin B (Liposomal) remains active in your body is not known.Safe with alcohol?
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.Is it habit forming?
Amphotericin B (Liposomal) has no habit-forming tendency.Usage in pregnancy?
As animal studies indicate that Amphotericin B (Liposomal) does not harm the foetus, this medicine may be used during pregnancy upon your doctor's recommendation.Usage while breast-feeding?
It is not known if Amphotericin B (Liposomal) passes into the breastmilk. If you are breastfeeding, discuss all the risks and benefits associated with this medicine with your doctor before receiving it.
Allergy
Amphotericin B (Liposomal) is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
As animal studies indicate that Amphotericin B (Liposomal) does not harm the foetus, this medicine may be used during pregnancy upon your doctor's recommendation.
Breast-feeding
It is not known if Amphotericin B (Liposomal) passes into the breastmilk. If you are breastfeeding, discuss all the risks and benefits associated with this medicine with your doctor before receiving it.
General warnings
Anaphylaxis
Amphotericin B (Liposomal) may cause serious anaphylactic reactions (an allergic reaction that is serious and life-threatening if not treated immediately). An anaphylactic reaction occurs immediately after receiving any medicine you are allergic to them. Hence, your doctor will monitor you closely while administering this medicine.
Noninvasive fungal infections
Amphotericin B (Liposomal) is not recommended to treat noninvasive fungal infections in people with normal neutrophil (a type of white blood cell) counts.
Infusion reactions
Amphotericin B (Liposomal) may cause infusion reactions such as a headache, fever, chills, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, breathing problems, or dizziness with the first few doses. These reactions usually diminish with subsequent doses.
Missed Dose
As Amphotericin B (Liposomal) is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of missing a dose is very low.
Overdose
As Amphotericin B (Liposomal) is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by your doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Tacrolimus
Cidofovir
Indapamide
Flucytosine
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Amphotericin B (Liposomal) should be administered in a hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional. Carefully follow all the instructions given by your doctor.
Report to your doctor about all your current medications as well as your medical conditions before receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Amphotericin B (Liposomal) works by blocking the action of a vital component of the fungal cell membrane (protective covering). Thus it slows the growth of the fungi.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Polyenes, Antifungals
Schedule
Schedule H
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. [online] Available at: [Accessed 28 October 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Amphotericin B Liposomal Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: [Accessed 28 October 2021].
2021. [online] Available at: [Accessed 28 October 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: [Accessed 28 October 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 6 Mar 2023
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.