In the U.S.—

• Antifungal, topical

Amphotericin ( am-foe-TER-i-sin) B belongs to the family of medicines called antifungals. Amphotericin B topical preparations are used to treat fungus infections.

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For amphotericin B, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to amphotericin B. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.

Pregnancy—Amphotericin B topical preparations have not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in humans.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether amphotericin B passes into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are using this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children—Although there is no specific information comparing use of amphotericin B topical preparations in children with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of topical amphotericin B preparations in the elderly with use in other age groups, these preparations are not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than they do in younger adults.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are using any other topical prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine that is to be applied to the same area of the skin.

Apply enough amphotericin B to cover the affected areas, and rub in gently.

Do not apply an occlusive dressing (airtight covering such as kitchen plastic wrap) over this medicine since it may cause irritation of the skin. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

To help clear up your infection completely, it is very important that you keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment , even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. Since fungus infections may be very slow to clear up, you may have to continue using this medicine every day for several months or longer. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.

Do not use this product in your eyes.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

If your skin problem does not improve within 1 to 2 weeks, or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor.

When amphotericin B is rubbed into the affected skin areas, it may stain the skin slightly, especially if it is applied to areas on or around the nails. It may also stain the nails.

For patients using the cream or lotion form of this medicine:

• If either of these forms stain your clothing, the stain may be removed by hand-washing the clothing with soap and warm water.

For patients using the ointment form of this medicine:

• If this form stains your clothing, the stain may be removed with a standard cleaning fluid.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Less common
  • Burning, itching, redness, or other sign of irritation not present before use of this medicine 
  
  

• Rare
  • Skin rash 
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if the following side effect continues or is bothersome:

• Less common--for cream only
  • Dryness of skin 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.