Amphotericin B Cholesteryl Sulfate Complex

• It is used to treat fungal infections.

• If you have an allergy to amphotericin or any other part of amphotericin B cholesteryl sulfate complex.
• If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.

This medicine may interact with other drugs or health problems.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this medicine with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.
• Talk with the doctor before starting any new drug, including prescription or OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about amphotericin B cholesteryl sulfate complex, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about amphotericin B cholesteryl sulfate complex. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using amphotericin B cholesteryl sulfate complex.

Review Date: October 4, 2017

Note: Lipid-based amphotericin formulations (Amphotec) may be confused with conventional formulations (desoxycholate [Amphocin, Fungizone]). Lipid-based and conventional formulations are not interchangeable and have different dosing recommendations. Overdoses have occurred when conventional formulations were dispensed inadvertently for lipid-based products.

Aspergillosis (invasive), treatment: Usual dosage range: 3-4 mg/kg/day. Note: 6 mg/kg/day has been used for treatment of life-threatening invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients (Bowden, 2002).

Premedication: For patients who experience chills, fever, hypotension, nausea, or other nonanaphylactic infusion-related immediate reactions, premedicate with the following drugs 30-60 minutes prior to drug administration: A nonsteroidal with or without diphenhydramine or acetaminophen with diphenhydramine or hydrocortisone 50-100 mg with or without a nonsteroidal and diphenhydramine (Paterson, 2008).

Test dose: For patients receiving their first dose in a new treatment course, a small amount (10 mL of the final preparation, containing between 1.6-8.3 mg) infused over 15-30 minutes is recommended. The patient should then be observed for an additional 30 minutes.

Mild to moderate impairment: No dosage adjustment provided in manufacturer’s labeling. However, no pharmacokinetic changes were noted in patients with mild-to-moderate impairment.

Severe impairment: No dosage adjustment provided in manufacturer’s labeling (has not been studied).