Amphotericin B for infusion

What is this medication?

AMPHOTERICIN B (am foe TER i sin) is an antifungal medicine. It is used to treat certain kinds of fungal or yeast infections.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Amphocin, Fungizone

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

•heart disease

•kidney disease

•recent medical procedures

•an unusual or allergic reaction to amphotericin B, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives

•pregnant or trying to get pregnant

•breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is usually given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

If you get this medicine at home, you will be taught how to prepare and give this medicine. Use exactly as directed. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

It is important that you put your used needles and syringes in a special sharps container. Do not put them in a trash can. If you do not have a sharps container, call your pharmacist or healthcare provider to get one.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

•cidofovir

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

•certain antibiotics given by injection

•corticotropin

•cyclosporine

•digoxin

•flucytosine

•medicines for fungal infections

•medicines to treat cancer

•muscle relaxers

•pentamidine

•steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve or if you get new symptoms. Your condition and lab work will be monitored while you are taking this medicine.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

•allergic reactions like skin rash or itching, hives, swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat

•burning, numbness, tingling

•change in amount or color of urine

•changes in hearing

•changes in vision

•chest tightness

•fever, chills

•irregular heart beat, blood pressure

•redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

•seizures

•short of breath, wheezing

•unusual bleeding, bruising

•unusually weak or tired

•yellowing of eyes, skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

•body aches, pain

•diarrhea

•headache

•flushing, redness of skin

•loss of appetite

•nausea, vomiting

•pain where injected

•stomach upset, pain

•weight loss

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

If you are using this medicine at home, you will be instructed on how to store this medicine. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date on the label.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.