Amphotericin B Liposomal Injectable

Generic Name: Amphotericin B

Brand Names:

Availability: Available with Prescription

Drug Class: Antifungal

Therapeutic action

  • Antifungal

Indications

  • Cryptococcal meningitis, when conventional amphotericin B is contra-indicated (severe pre- existingrenal impairment or amphotericin B induced renal impairment)
  • Mucocutaneous or visceral leishmaniasis Severe histoplasmosis

Forms and strengths, route of administration

  • Powder for injection, in 50 mg vial, to be dissolved in 12 ml of water for injection, to obtain a concentrated suspension containing 4 mg/ml
  • With a syringe, withdraw the required dose of concentrated suspension. Attach the filter provided with the vial to the syringe; inject the contents of the syringe, through the filter, into the volume of 5% glucose (50 ml, 250 ml, 500 ml) needed to obtain a solution containing between 0.2 to 2 mg/ml,for IV perfusion.

Dosage and duration

Cryptococcal meningitis, severe histoplasmosis

Child over 1 month and adult: 3 mg/kg once daily over 30 to 60 minutes for 2 weeks

 

 

Weight

Liposomal amphotericin B, 50 mg-vialin 12 mlG5%
Daily dose in mg/kgNb of vialsVolume of suspension (4 mg/ml) to be withdrawnVolume required for administration
4 kg12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

3 ml

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50 ml

5 kg154 ml
6 kg184.5 ml
7 kg215 ml
8 kg246 ml
9 kg277 ml
10 kg307.5 ml
15 kg4511 ml
20 kg60

 

 

 

2

15 ml

 

 

 

250 ml

25 kg7519 ml
30 kg9023 ml
35 kg105

 

 

 

 

3

26 ml

 

 

 

 

500 ml

40 kg12030 ml
45 kg13534 ml
50 kg15038 ml
55 kg165

 

 

 

4

41 ml

 

 

 

500 ml

60 kg18045 ml
65 kg19550 ml
70 kg210553 ml500 ml

Mucocutaneous or visceral leishmaniasis

  • Follow the recommended protocol, which varies from one region to another (exact dose, administration schedule,etc.). For information, the total dose in children over 1 month and adults is 15 to 30 mg/kg.

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

  • May cause:
    • intolerance reactions during administration: fever, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, hypotension; local reaction: pain and thrombophlebitis at injection site; allergic reactions; 
    • gastrointestinal disturbances, disturbances in renal function (raised creatinine or urea levels,renal impairment), hypokalaemia, hypomagnesiemia, elevated liver enzymes; rarely, haematological disorders (thrombocytopenia, anaemia).
  • Avoid combination with: drugs causing hypokalaemia (furosemide, corticosteroids), nephrotoxic drugs (amikacin, ciclosporine, tenofovir); digoxin,zidovudine.
  • The infusion may be administered over 2 hours if necessary to prevent or minimize adverse effects. 
  • Monitor serum creatinine levels, and if possible, serum potassium levels (once to twice weekly) throughout treatment; adapt adjunctive therapy (potassium and magnesium supplementation) according to the results.
  • If renal function deteriorates, reduce the dose by half for a few days.
  • Pregnancy: check for renal dysfunction in the neonate if administered during the last month of pregnancy.
  • Breast-feeding: avoid,except if vital

Remarks

  • Liposomal amphotericin B is bettertolerated and less nephrotoxic than conventional amphotericin B.
  • Do not add other drugs in the infusion bottle or bag; donot use the preparation if there is visible precipitation.
  • Before each infusion, rinse the IV catheter with 5% glucose.

Storage

  • Vial of powder: must be kept refrigerated (between 2 °C and 8 °C) or below 25 °C.
  • Solutions (reconstituted and for infusion):be kept refrigerated 24 hours (between 2 °C and 8 °C).