Amphotericin B Cholesteryl Complex (Systemic)

Brand Names : Amphotec

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 cholesteryl complex, the following should be considered:

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

Pregnancy - Amphotericin B cholesteryl complex has not been studied in pregnant women. However, amphotericin B cholesteryl complex has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies. 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 cholesteryl complex passes into breast milk. However, amphotericin B cholesteryl complex is not recommended during breast-feeding because it may cause unwanted effects in nursing infants.

Children - This medicine has been tested in children and, in effective doses, has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.

Older adults - This medicine has been tested in a limited number of patients 65 years of age or older and has not been shown 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 using amphotericin B cholesteryl 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 cholesteryl complex may increase the risk of side effects affecting the kidneys

• Antineoplastic agents (cancer medicine) - Use of cancer medicines with amphotericin B cholesteryl 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 cholesteryl complex may increase the effects of these medicines

• Corticosteroids (cortisone-like medicine) or
• Corticotropin (ACTH) or
• Digitalis glycosides (heart medicine) - Use of amphotericin B cholesteryl 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 cholesteryl complex. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems.