Name
- Amphotericin B.
Class of drug
- Polyene antifungal antibiotic.
Uses
Action
- Fungistatic or fungicidal depending on dose and fungus.
Indications
- Serious systemic mycoses, eg cryptococcosis
, histoplasmosis and blastomycosis. - Fungal septicemia.
- Fungal urinary tract infections.
- Candida (rare in cats) is particularly susceptible to this agent.
Adverse reactions
Other reported reactions
- Amphotericin B is very toxic to birds when administered systemically; avoid IV use if at all possible.
- Nephrotoxicity/renal failure.
- Hypokalemia leading to cardiac arrhythmias.
- Phlebitis.
- Hepatic failure.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Anorexia.
- Pyrexia.
- Muscle and joint pain.
- Anaphylactoid reactions.
Treatment
Nephrotoxicity- May be reduced if serum sodium levels are maintained in a high normal range during therapy.
Fever, vomiting, etc
- May be decreased by pre-treating with aspirin , diphenhydramine or an anti-emetic.
Toxicity in birds
- Amphotericin B is very toxic to birds when administered systemically; avoid IV use if at all possible.
