This medication is used to treat a variety of serious fungal infections. It is often used in patients who cannot tolerate or who do not respond to the regular amphotericin treatment. It works by stopping the growth of fungi.

This medication is given into a vein by a health care professional. Follow all instructions for proper mixing and dilution with the correct IV fluid. Before using the mixed IV solution, check it visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. If you have questions about the use of this medication, consult the pharmacist.

This medication is usually given once a day over 2 hours.

Dosage is based on your medical condition, weight, and response to therapy.

It may be necessary to continue this medication for several weeks to several months in order to treat certain infections. Stopping the medication too early may result in a return of the infection.

Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Fever, chills, flushing, loss of appetite, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache, shortness of breath, or fast breathing may occur 1 to 2 hours after the infusion is started. In some cases, other medications (e.g., acetaminophen, diphenhydramine, corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone) may be necessary to prevent or relieve these side effects. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: swelling/pain at injection site, chest pain, muscle/joint pain, unusual tiredness, weakness, muscle cramping, change in the amount of urine, painful urination, numbness/tingling of arms/legs, vision changes, hearing changes (e.g., ringing in the ears).

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: dark urine, severe stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, swelling ankles/feet, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, cold sweats, blue lips, easy bruising/bleeding, other signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), mental/mood changes, seizures, black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before receiving amphotericin/lipid complex, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: white blood cell (leukocyte) transfusions, heart disease (e.g., irregular heartbeat, congestive heart failure), liver disease, kidney disease.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

This drug may pass into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Therefore, breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.

This drug should not be used with the following medication because very serious interactions may occur: cidofovir.

If you are currently using the medication listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting amphotericin.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: anti-cancer drugs (e.g., mechlorethamine, nitrogen mustard), azole antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole), digoxin, flucytosine, medications that affect the kidneys (e.g., cyclosporine, aminoglycosides such as gentamicin, pentamidine, tacrolimus), medications that lower potassium levels (e.g., corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone), muscle relaxants (e.g., tubocurarine), zidovudine.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

This medication should be given in a hospital setting where your condition and response can be closely monitored.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., kidney/liver function tests, potassium/magnesium levels, complete blood counts) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

It is important not to miss any doses of this medication and to use each dose as scheduled. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately to establish a new dosing schedule.

Different brands of this medication need different storage conditions. Consult your pharmacist for information on how to store your brand.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised October 2008 Copyright(c) 2008 First DataBank, Inc.