Question 1

What is Amphotericin B used for?

Accepted Answer

Serious fungal infections of the blood, brain, lungs, or other organs, cryptococcal meningitis (a dangerous fungal infection of the brain common in people living with HIV), severe oral or throat thrush that does not respond to other treatments, histoplasmosis, aspergillosis

Question 2

How do you take Amphotericin B?

Accepted Answer

This is not a drug you take at home by yourself. It is given by a doctor or nurse through a drip in a hospital. The usual adult dose starts small (a test dose of about 1 mg) and is gradually increased up to 0.5–1 mg per kilogram of your body weight per day, depending on the type of infection. Each infusion is given slowly over 2–6 hours. Your doctor will decide the exact dose and how long your treatment lasts.

Question 3

What are the side effects of Amphotericin B?

Accepted Answer

Fever and chills during or shortly after the drip (very common — your nurses may give you paracetamol to manage this), nausea and vomiting, headache, body aches and joint pain, loss of appetite

Question 4

Who should not take Amphotericin B?

Accepted Answer

People who are allergic to Amphotericin B or any ingredient in the injection. People with severe kidney disease should use it with extreme caution and only under close medical monitoring. It is not suitable for treating minor fungal infections like ringworm or simple skin fungus.

Question 5

Is Amphotericin B safe during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Amphotericin B should only be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding if the infection is life-threatening and there is no safer alternative — your doctor must make this decision.

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