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Amphotericin B
| Brand Names | ABLC, AMPH-B, Abelcet, AmB, AmBisome, Ampho-Moronal, Amphocin, Amphortericin B, Amphotec, Amphotericin, Amphotericine B, Amphozone, Fungilin,
Fungisone, Fungizone, Fungizone Intravenous, HSDB 3008 IAB, Halizon, IAB, LNS-AmB, Liposomal Amphotericin B, Mysteclin-F, Tegopen
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| Habit Forming? |
No |
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| Requires Prescription? |
Yes |
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| Drug Class |
Amebicides; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antifungal Agents; Antiprotozoal Agents |
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MeSH Classification
Organic Chemicals: Lactones: Macrolides: Amphotericin B
Pharmacology
Amphotericin B shows a high order of in vitro activity against many species of fungi. Histoplasma capsulatum, Coccidioides immitis, Candida species, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Rhodotorula, Cryptococcus neoformans, Sporothrix schenckii, Mucor mucedo, and Aspergillus fumigatus are all inhibited by concentrations of amphotericin B ranging from 0.03 to 1.0 mcg/mL in vitro. While Candida albicans is generally quite susceptible to amphotericin B, non-albicans species may be less susceptible. Pseudallescheria boydii and Fusarium sp. are often resistant to amphotericin B. The antibiotic is without effect on bacteria, rickettsiae, and viruses.
Indication
Amphotericin B is used to treat potentially life threatening fungal infections. Amphotericin B can cause serious side effects. This medication should only be used for the treatment of potentially life-threatening fungal infections and not to treat less serious fungal infections of the mouth, throat, or vagina in patients with a normal immune system (body's natural protection against infection).
Other Uses
Amphotericin B is not effective against bacterial infections or viruses. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Mechanism of Action
Amphotericin B is fungistatic or fungicidal depending on the concentration obtained in body fluids and the susceptibility of the fungus. The drug acts by binding to sterols in the cell membrane of susceptible fungi with a resultant change in membrane permeability allowing leakage of intracellular components. Ergosterol, the principal sterol in the fungal cytoplasmic membrane, is the target site of action of amphotericin B and the azoles. Amphotericin B, a polyene, binds irreversibly to ergosterol, resulting in disruption of membrane integrity and ultimately cell death.
This potent drug should not be used to treat noninvasive fungal infections, such as oral thrush, vaginal candidiasis and esophageal candidiasis in patients with normal neutrophil counts.
More Information:
1. The MedMasterTM Patient Drug Information database, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc.
2. National Library of Medicine - Medical Subject Headings
3. DrugBank database, Wishart DS et al., DrugBank: a comprehensive resource for in silico drug discovery and exploration
4. Complete Guide to Prescription and Nonprescription Drugs, H. Winter Griffith, M.D.
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