What is Ambisome?

Amphotericin B liposomal complex is an antifungal and an antiprotozoal medicine. It is used to help the body overcome serious infections caused by fungus or protozoa.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For the treatment of infection caused by fungus or protozoa
  • For injection dosage form:
    • Adults and children: 3 to 6 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (1.36 to 2.73 mg per pound) of body weight once a day, injected slowly into a vein. The number of days that you receive this treatment depends on the medical problem for which you are receiving amphotericin B liposomal complex.

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

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of amphotericin B liposomal complex in children.

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 amphotericin B liposomal complex in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

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 taking 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 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.

• Cyclosporine

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Blood transfusion—Amphotericin B liposomal complex may cause side effects affecting the lungs

• Kidney disease—Amphotericin B liposomal complex may make your kidney problems worse