How does Abelcet (amphotericin B) work?

Abelcet (amphotericin B) is an antifungal that's used to treat fungal infections. It works by [attaching to substances called sterols](https://www.ccjm.org/content/ccjom/65/8/423.full.pdf) that are found in the protective covering of certain fungi. This causes the fungal cells to leak, which eventually kills the fungi.

When is Abelcet (amphotericin B) typically used?

Abelcet (amphotericin B) is used to treat [a wide variety of serious fungal infections](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11801575/). But it isn't a first-choice medication. Instead, Abelcet (amphotericin B) is typically only given to you if the [standard amphotericin B](https://www.ccjm.org/content/ccjom/65/8/423.full.pdf) (known as deoxycholate amphotericin B) didn't work well to treat your infection, or if you can't use the standard treatment because of kidney problems. Studies show that Abelcet (amphotericin B) causes [less kidney damage](https://academic.oup.com/mmy/article/46/2/97/1041481) compared with the standard amphotericin B treatment.

Abelcet

Q: How is Abelcet (amphotericin B) given?

Abelcet (amphotericin B) is typically given as an infusion through the veins (IV) by a healthcare provider. The infusion is usually done in the hospital because people who need this medication often have serious infections that need medical support. But if your provider thinks it's appropriate, you can get the infusion at an [outpatient infusion center](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33846129/) or in a [home-care setting](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10707695/). The typical daily dose of Abelcet (amphotericin B) is 5 mg/kg of body weight, given as a single IV infusion.

Q: What are the side effects of Abelcet (amphotericin B)?

In clinical trials, [the most common side effects](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=5587db37-f21a-4a39-a319-e1077032ced9) people experienced with Abelcet (amphotericin B) are chills and fever. These symptoms typically appeared 1 to 2 hours after the start of the IV infusion, and are more frequently felt with the first few doses of Abelcet (amphotericin B). Some people also reported serious side effects, such as kidney damage, [multiple organ failure](https://pubs.asahq.org/anesthesiology/article/107/1/6/8332/Multisystem-Organ-FailurePredicting-the-Future), and severe allergic reaction ([anaphylaxis](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/anaphylaxis)). Please be aware that many of the people in the clinical trials had serious infections, other medical conditions, and were taking other medications, so the side effects might not be linked to Abelcet (amphotericin B) alone.

Q: What's the difference between Ambisome and Abelcet (amphotericin B)?

Both [Ambisome](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/050740s021lbl.pdf) and Abelcet are 2 different, less kidney-damaging, alternatives to the [standard amphotericin B](https://www.ccjm.org/content/ccjom/65/8/423.full.pdf). They both contain amphotericin B as the active medication, but are made in different lipid (fat) formulations to lessen the toxic effects on the kidney. They differ in their [shape, size, and how they are cleared from the body]( https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1198743X14616141), so the recommended dose between the two brands can be different. Ambisome causes [less kidney damage and infusion reactions](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11801578/) compared to Abelcet (amphotericin B) at similar doses. Talk with your provider if you have questions about these two medications.

amphotericin B lipid complex

Used for Fungal Infection

Abelcet (amphotericin B) is infused intravenously (IV) by a healthcare provider to treat serious fungal infections. It's typically given to people who aren't able to tolerate the standard amphotericin B because of kidney problems, since it's less toxic to the kidneys. It can also be used by people for whom the standard amphotericin B didn't work well. The most common side effects are chills and fevers. Abelcet (amphotericin B) is brand only and can be expensive.

Reviewed by:

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Connie Zheng, PharmD

Last reviewed on May 10, 2022

What is Abelcet (amphotericin B)?

What is Abelcet (amphotericin B) used for?

Fungal infections in people who couldn't tolerate the standard amphotericin B antifungal or for whom the standard treatment didn't work well

Are you looking for information on amphotericin B liposome (Ambisome) instead?

Drug facts

Common Brands	Abelcet
Drug Class	Antifungal
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	No lower-cost generic available
Availability	Prescription only

Common Brands

Abelcet

Drug Class

Antifungal

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

No lower-cost generic available

Availability

Prescription only

Common questions about Abelcet

Abelcet is an antifungal that's used to treat fungal infections. It works by attaching to substances called sterols that are found in the protective covering of certain fungi. This causes the fungal cells to leak, which eventually kills the fungi.

Abelcet is used to treat a wide variety of serious fungal infections. But it isn't a first-choice medication. Instead, Abelcet is typically only given to you if the standard amphotericin B (known as deoxycholate amphotericin B) didn't work well to treat your infection, or if you can't use the standard treatment because of kidney problems. Studies show that Abelcet causes less kidney damage compared with the standard amphotericin B treatment.

Abelcet is typically given as an infusion through the veins (IV) by a healthcare provider. The infusion is usually done in the hospital because people who need this medication often have serious infections that need medical support. But if your provider thinks it's appropriate, you can get the infusion at an outpatient infusion center or in a home-care setting. The typical daily dose of Abelcet is 5 mg/kg of body weight, given as a single IV infusion.

In clinical trials, the most common side effects people experienced with Abelcet are chills and fever. These symptoms typically appeared 1 to 2 hours after the start of the IV infusion, and are more frequently felt with the first few doses of Abelcet. Some people also reported serious side effects, such as kidney damage, multiple organ failure, and severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Please be aware that many of the people in the clinical trials had serious infections, other medical conditions, and were taking other medications, so the side effects might not be linked to Abelcet alone.

Both Ambisome and Abelcet are 2 different, less kidney-damaging, alternatives to the standard amphotericin B. They both contain amphotericin B as the active medication, but are made in different lipid (fat) formulations to lessen the toxic effects on the kidney. They differ in their shape, size, and how they are cleared from the body, so the recommended dose between the two brands can be different. Ambisome causes less kidney damage and infusion reactions compared to Abelcet at similar doses. Talk with your provider if you have questions about these two medications.

Abelcet (amphotericin B) dosage

Typical dosage for Abelcet (amphotericin B)

What are alternatives to Abelcet (amphotericin B)?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Abelcet (amphotericin B). Compare a few possible alternatives below.

Abelcet (amphotericin B)

Used for:

Fungal infections in people who couldn't tolerate the standard amphotericin B antifungal or for whom the standard treatment didn't work well

View prices

Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome)

Used for:

Fungal infections in people with a fever and a low number of white blood cells
Cryptococcal meningitis in people with HIV
People with severe fungal infections caused by Aspergillus, Candida, or Cryptococcus who have already tried other antifungals or cannot take other antifungals
Black fever (visceral leishmaniasis)

View prices

Voriconazole (Vfend)

Used for:

Invasive aspergillosis (IA)
Candidemia (candidiasis infection of the bloodstream)
Candidiasis infections that have spread to deep tissue areas, including stomach and wounds
Esophageal candidiasis (EC)
Scedosporiosis and fusariosis fungal infections in people who can't take, or didn't respond well, to other treatment

$36.76Lowest GoodRx priceView prices

What is Abelcet (amphotericin B)?

What is Abelcet (amphotericin B) used for?

Are you looking for information on amphotericin B liposome (Ambisome) instead?

Drug facts

Common questions about Abelcet

How does Abelcet work?

When is Abelcet typically used?

How is Abelcet given?

What are the side effects of Abelcet?

What's the difference between Ambisome and Abelcet?

Abelcet (amphotericin B) dosage

Typical dosage for Abelcet (amphotericin B)

What are alternatives to Abelcet (amphotericin B)?

Common questions about Abelcet

How does Abelcet work?

When is Abelcet typically used?

How is Abelcet given?

What are the side effects of Abelcet?

What's the difference between Ambisome and Abelcet?