AMPHOTERICIN-B - A CLASS REVIEW

Amphotericin B deoxycholate has been the mainstay of invasive antifung al therapy for nearly 40 years due to its proven efficacy and fungicid al effect, Unfortunately, this conventional formulation of amphoterici n B is associated with significant dose-limiting adverse reactions suc h as nephrotoxicity, electrolyte imbalances, and administration-relate d fever and chills. These adverse effects led to the development of li posomal forms of amphotericin B designed to allow for administration o f higher doses with better patient tolerance. Three such products have been approved for use in the United States: amphotericin B lipid comp lex (Abelcet), amphotericin B colloid dispersion (Amphotec), and ampho tericin B liposomal (AmBisome). This review compares amphotericin B de oxycholate with these liposomal formulations with respect to drug char acteristics, clinical efficacy, adverse effects, drug interactions, an d cost.