Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Fungizone, Fungizone For Tissue Culture

Generic Name: amphotericin B (Pronunciation: am foe TER i sin)

• What is amphotericin B (Fungizone, Fungizone For Tissue Culture)?
• What are the possible side effects of amphotericin B (Fungizone, Fungizone For Tissue Culture)?
• What is the most important information I should know about amphotericin B (Fungizone, Fungizone For Tissue Culture)?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before I receive amphotericin B (Fungizone, Fungizone For Tissue Culture)?
• How is amphotericin B given (Fungizone, Fungizone For Tissue Culture)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Fungizone, Fungizone For Tissue Culture)?
• What happens if I overdose (Fungizone, Fungizone For Tissue Culture)?
• What should I avoid while receiving amphotericin B (Fungizone, Fungizone For Tissue Culture)?
• What other drugs will affect amphotericin B (Fungizone, Fungizone For Tissue Culture)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is amphotericin B (Fungizone, Fungizone For Tissue Culture)?

Amphotericin B is an antibiotic that fights fungal infections in the body.

Amphotericin B is used to treat serious, life-threatening fungal infections. It is not for use in treating a minor fungal infection such as a yeast infection of the mouth, esophagus, or vagina.

Amphotericin is usually given after other antifungal antibiotics have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.

Amphotericin B may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of amphotericin B (Fungizone, Fungizone For Tissue Culture)?

Some people receiving an amphotericin B injection have had a reaction to the infusion (either when the medicine is injected into the vein or within 1 to 3 hours afterward). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, sweaty, feverish or cold, or if you have a slow heartbeat, chest tightness, or trouble breathing.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• dry mouth, increased thirst, nausea, vomiting;
• extreme drowsiness, restless feeling, confusion;
• urinating more or less than usual, or not at all;
• muscle pain or weakness, fast or uneven heart rate, feeling light-headed, fainting;
• seizure (convulsions);
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• pain, swelling, or other irritation where the needle is placed;
• mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach, loss of appetite;
• weight loss;
• muscle or joint aches;
• headache;
• warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin; or
• skin itching or mild rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about amphotericin B (Fungizone, Fungizone For Tissue Culture)?

Do not receive this medication if you are allergic to any formulation of amphotericin B (Abelcet, AmBisome, Amphotec, or Fungizone).

Before you receive amphotericin B, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney disease or heart disease.

Amphotericin B is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting.

The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take up to 6 hours to complete.

Amphotericin B may need to be given for up to several weeks or months, depending on the infection being treated.

Some people receiving an amphotericin B injection have had a reaction to the infusion (either when the medicine is injected into the vein or within 1 to 3 hours afterward). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, sweaty, feverish or cold, or if have a slow heartbeat, chest tightness, or trouble breathing.