amphotericin B
Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) is effective at treating many severe and deadly fungal infections, but it has many side effects.
What is Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome)?
What is 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)
How Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) works
Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) is an antifungal. It kills the fungus causing your infection by damaging its protective outer layer.
Drug facts
Side effects of Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Chance of experiencing side effects from Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) varies depending on the dose that's being given.
- Chills (40-48%)
- Low potassium (38-43%)
- Nausea (26-40%)
- Rash (24-25%)
- Vomiting (22-32%)
- Diarrhea (15-30%)
- Trouble breathing (18-23%)
- Changes to liver blood tests (7-22%)
- Changes to kidney blood tests (20-22%)
- Stomach pain (13-20%)
- Fever, chills, hives, and itching while Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) is being infused or shortly after (11-19%)
- Swelling (13-14%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Fast heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Sweating
- Nosebleeds
- Headache
- Chest pain
- Weakness
- Bloodstream infection (sepsis)
- Lung problems
- Low amount of oxygen in the blood
- Anxiety
- Confusion
Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic reactions
The following Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) side effects have also been reported
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 immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Less common or rare
With intravenous injection
Blurred or double vision
convulsions (seizures)
numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in hands or feet
shortness of breath, troubled breathing, wheezing, or tightness in chest
skin rash or itching
sore throat and fever
unusual bleeding or bruising
With spinal injection
Blurred vision or any change in vision
difficult urination
numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness
Some 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. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome)
Pros
- Treats life-threatening infections
- Works when other antifungals fail
- Not as hard on your kidneys as Abelcet (amphotericin B lipid complex)
- Has been used safely in children as young as 1 year old
Cons
- Must be given through an IV line over 1 to 2 hours
- Must be given in a hospital or by a trained home healthcare professional
- Can be given for several weeks for more severe infections
- Many side effects
- Blood tests required
Pharmacist tips for Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome)
- If you receive the vials of Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) at home from a specialty or mail order pharmacy, store your medication at room temperature away from heat sources, moist areas like bathrooms, and direct sunlight. The vials of Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) are made of glass, so be careful handling them.
- It can take up to 2 hours for your dose of Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) to be given through an IV line. This helps lower the amount of discomfort you might feel where Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) is being infused.
- Don't drink alcohol while you're on Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome). Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) can affect your liver health. This combination raises your risk of liver damage.
- Chills, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are common side effects from Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome). They are typically worse when you first start receiving Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) and get better for most people over time.
- Be sure to get any blood tests ordered by your healthcare provider done on time. Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) can affect your liver, kidneys, blood cells, and electrolytes. These blood tests will help your provider make sure you can keep using Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) safely.
Common questions about Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome)
The word liposome (or liposomal) means that the medication is contained inside a fatty bubble. This helps your body absorb and use Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) better. More medication can reach the correct areas of your body when Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) is in a liposome version. It's also a reason it causes fewer side effects than other versions of amphotericin.
Typically, it is required for a healthcare professional to give you your dose of Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome). This is done to help prevent accidental infections or other problems while the medication is infusing.
It depends on how well you tolerate Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) as it is being infused. Some people have a lot of infusion side effects (nausea, chills, vomiting) if Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) is given faster than 2 hours. If you don't have many side effects, this medication may be given over a period of 1 hour.
Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) is given through an IV bag. This means it's being infused directly into your bloodstream. Usually, Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) is given into a large vein like those found in your chest or neck area. Using a vein in your arm or the back of your hand to infuse Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) tends to cause a lot of discomfort and pain.
No. Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) is not absorbed very well when taken by mouth, so it wouldn't help treat severe fungal infections.
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Risks and warnings for Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome)
Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
ALLERGIC REACTIONS
- Risk factors: Previous allergic reaction to other forms of amphotericin B
Severe allergic reactions to Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) are possible, including life-threatening problems like anaphylaxis (closing of the throat). Call 911 if this happens and you are at home. A healthcare professional giving Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) at home will have epinephrine with them in case of a sudden allergic reaction. If you notice hives, rash, swelling of the lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing after using Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome), call your healthcare provider right away.
KIDNEY DAMAGE
- Risk factors: Current kidney problems | History of kidney problems | Using other medications that are hard on the kidneys
Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) can cause kidney damage. Your risk of this is higher if you have or have had kidney problems or if you take medications that are tough on the kidneys (NSAIDs, certain blood pressure medications, water pills). You will need blood tests done while taking Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) to make sure your kidneys stay healthy. Contact your healthcare provider if you have a sudden change in the amount of urine, if you can't urinate at all, if you experience any sudden swelling of your limbs, or if you have unexplained trouble breathing.
LOW MAGNESIUM AND POTASSIUM
Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) can lower the amount of magnesium and potassium in your blood. If these electrolytes get too low, you may get irregular heartbeats. You will have regular blood tests done while using Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) to make sure these stay at a healthy level. Be sure to get all ordered blood tests done on time.
LIVER DAMAGE
- Risk factors: History of liver problems | Current liver problems | Alcohol use
Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) can cause liver damage. Your risk of this is higher if you have or have had liver problems or if you drink alcohol while taking Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome). You will need blood tests done while taking Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) to make sure your liver stays healthy. If you experience unexplained stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, pale stools, or yellowing of your skin or eyes, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Blood tests will need to be done to check your liver health.
Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) dosage
Typical dosage for Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome)
Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) is usually given in a hospital or at home by a visiting nurse, so a healthcare provider will make sure you get this medication at the correct times. The dose of Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) is based on your weight.
- Fungal infections in people with a fever and a low number of white blood cells: It is usually given 3 mg/kg per day.
- Cryptococcal meningitis in people with HIV: It is usually given 6 mg/kg per day.
- Severe fungal infections caused by Aspergillus, Candida, or Cryptococcus: It is usually given between 3 and 5 mg/kg per day.
- Black fever in people with healthy immune systems: It is usually given 3 mg/kg per day for 5 days. Then, you will have several days without any medication. You will be given another 3 mg/kg per day of Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) on days 14 and 21.
- Black fever in people with weakened immune systems: It is usually given 4 mg/kg per day for 5 days. Then, you will have several days without any medication. You will be given another 4 mg/kg per day of Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) on days 10, 17, 24, 31, and 38.
Interactions between Ambisome (amphotericin B liposome) and other drugs
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. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
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