Amphotericin B Liposomal Complex (Systemic)

Brand Names : AmBisome

Before Using This Medicine

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

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to amphotericin B liposomal complex. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Amphotericin B liposomal complex has not been reported to cause birth defects or other problems in humans. However, studies in animals have shown that amphotericin B liposomal complex causes the fetus to abort and other problems. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether amphotericin B liposomal complex passes into breast milk. However, amphotericin B liposomal complex is not recommended during breast-feeding, because it may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies.

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

Older adults - 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.

Other medicines - 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 receiving amphotericin B liposomal complex, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Aminoglycosides (amikacin [e.g., Amikin], gentamicin [e.g., Garamycin], kanamycin [e.g., Kantrex], neomycin [e.g., Mycifradin], netilmicin [e.g., Netromycin], streptomycin, tobramycin [e.g., Nebcin]) or
• Cyclosporine (e.g., Sandimmune) or
• Pentamidine (e.g., NebuPent, Pentam 300) or
• Tacrolimus (e.g., Prograf) - Use of these medicines with amphotericin B liposomal complex may increase the risk of side effects affecting the kidneys

• Antineoplastic agents (cancer medicine) - Use of cancer medicines with amphotericin B liposomal complex may increase the risk of side effects affecting the blood, kidneys, and lungs

• Atracurium (e.g., Tracrium) or
• Gallamine (e.g., Flaxedil) or
• Metocurine (e.g., Metubine Iodide) or
• Pancuronium (e.g., Pavulon) or
• Tubocurarine or
• Vecuronium (e.g., Norcuron) - Use of these medicines with amphotericin B liposomal complex may increase the effects of these medicines

• Corticosteroids (cortisone-like medicine) or
• Corticotropin (ACTH) or
• Digitalis glycosides (heart medicine) - Use of amphotericin B liposomal complex with corticosteroids, corticotropin, or digitalis medicines (such as digoxin) may cause changes in the blood that may increase the chance of heart problems

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of amphotericin B liposomal complex. 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