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Amphotericin B Injection

(am foe ter' i sin)

Brand name(s): Amphocin; Fungizone

About your treatment

Your doctor has ordered amphotericin, an antifungal agent, to help treat your infection. It will be added to an intravenous fluid that will drip through a needle or catheter placed in your vein for several hours, once a day or once every other day.

Amphotericin is used to kill fungi that can cause many serious and life-threatening infections. Amphotericin is not effective against bacterial infections or viruses. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Your health care provider (doctor, nurse, or pharmacist) may measure the effectiveness and side effects of your treatment using laboratory tests and physical examinations. It is important to keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. The length of treatment depends on how your infection and symptoms respond to the medication.

Precautions

Before administering amphotericin,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to amphotericin or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially antibiotics, cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), dexamethasone (Decadron), flucytosine (Ancobon), medications for high blood pressure or heart disease, muscle relaxants, and vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease or diabetes.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. Amphotericin must be used with extreme caution in these cases. Your doctor may direct you to stop breast-feeding or even prescribe a different drug. If you become pregnant while taking amphotericin, call your doctor immediately.

Administering your medication

Before you administer amphotericin, look at the solution closely. It should be clear and free of floating material. Gently squeeze the bag or observe the solution container to make sure there are no leaks. Do not use the solution if it is discolored, if it contains particles, or if the bag or container leaks. Use a new solution, but show the damaged one to your health care provider.

It is important that you use your medication exactly as directed. Do not stop your therapy on your own for any reason because your infection could worsen and result in hospitalization. Do not change your dosing schedule without talking to your health care provider. Your health care provider may tell you to stop your infusion if you have a mechanical problem (such as a blockage in the tubing, needle, or catheter); if you have to stop an infusion, call your health care provider immediately so your therapy can continue.

Side effects

Although side effects from amphotericin are not common, they can occur. These side effects include fever, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, and pain or irritation at the injection site during or shortly after infusion. These side effects are more severe and more common with the first few doses of amphotericin B. Your health care provider may prescribe other medications to decrease these side effects. If you have never experienced any of these effects from previous doses and suddenly have symptoms, stop your infusion and call your health care provider immediately.

Tell your health care provider if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• diarrhea
• stomach cramping
• joint or muscle aches
• weight loss

If you experience either of the following symptoms, call your health care provider immediately:

• increased urination
• change in heartbeat

Storing your medication

• Your health care provider probably will give you a several-day supply of amphotericin at a time. You will be told to store it in the refrigerator and to protect it from light, at least until the infusion is begun.
• Take your next dose from the refrigerator 1 hour before using it; place it in a clean, dry area to allow it to warm to room temperature.
• Do not allow amphotericin to freeze.

Store your medication only as directed. Make sure you understand what you need to store your medication properly.

Keep your supplies in a clean, dry place when you are not using them, and keep all medications and supplies out of reach of children. Your health care provider will tell you how to throw away used needles, syringes, tubing, and containers to avoid accidental injury.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Signs of infection

You should be aware of the symptoms of infection in case your infection worsens or a new infection develops. If you notice any of the following symptoms, tell your health care provider as soon as possible:

• fever
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• chills
• shaking
• nighttime sweating
• loss of appetite

If you are receiving amphotericin in your vein or under your skin, you need to know the symptoms of a catheter-related infection (an infection where the needle enters your vein or skin). If you experience any of these effects near your intravenous catheter, tell your health care provider as soon as possible:

• tenderness
• warmth
• irritation
• drainage
• redness
• swelling
• pain

Last Revised - 01/01/2003

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Disclaimer

The MedMaster™ Patient Drug Information database provides information copyrighted by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland Copyright© 2004. All Rights Reserved.

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