Side effects
Amphoterine B can cause many different side effects and should therefore only be taken after strict indication and only at the agreed doses. The severity of the side effects depends on how Amphotericin B is taken. Ointments and tablets usually only cause local symptoms such as itching, swelling or blistering, whereas many different side effects can be observed with the intravenous administration of Amphotericin B.
Among the very frequent (>10%) side effects of Amphotericin B are The following side effects should be reported to your doctor immediately: Taking Amphotericin B may damage kidney function. For this reason, blood and especially kidney values should be closely monitored during therapy. If the kidney function deteriorates under therapy with Amphotericin B, but at the same time further treatment is unavoidable, the dose can be reduced to 50%, but must then be given over a longer period of time. – Flu-like symptoms with or without fever, hoarseness, breathing difficulties
- Rash, itching, red, swollen or blistered skin
- Swelling of the facial area
- Pain and cramps in the gastrointestinal tract, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite
- Headaches
- Hearing loss
- Low blood pressure
- Tachycardia
- Potassium deficiency
- Muscle and joint pain
- Allergic reactions up to anaphylactic shock,
- Seizures
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Black discoloured chair
- Problems urinating, very dark urine
- Fast breathing
- Hearing loss
- Yellowish discoloration of skin and conjunctiva
- Very severe diarrhoea
- Avolition
- Severe redness or swelling at the injection site.
Contraindications
Amphotericin B should not be given if an allergy to Amphotericin B is known. In case of acute suspicion, close medical monitoring should be carried out during the first administration. During pregnancy, Amphotericin B should only be given if there are no medical alternatives, as a possible fruit damaging effect of Amphotericin B could not yet be excluded.
