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Amphotericin b lipid complex Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 16, 2023.

Applies to amphotericin b lipid complex: suspension.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, amphotericin b lipid complex may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking amphotericin b lipid complex:

More common

Less common

Rare

Other side effects

Some side effects of amphotericin b lipid complex may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to amphotericin b lipid complex: intravenous suspension.

General

The most common clinical side effects in clinical trials were chills, increased creatinine, pyrexia, hypokalemia, nausea, and vomiting.[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Chills (up to 18%), fever/pyrexia (up to 14%), multiple organ failure (11%)

Common (1% to 10%): Sepsis, infection, pain, chest pain, increased alkaline phosphatase

Frequency not reported: Malaise, weight loss, increased lactate dehydrogenase, shivering, generalized edema, asthenia, peripheral edema

Renal

Very common (10% or more): Increased serum creatinine (up to 13%)

Common (1% to 10%): Renal failure, renal impairment, increased BUN/urea

Frequency not reported: Decreased renal function, abnormal kidney function

Postmarketing reports: Renal tubular acidosis (including hyposthenuria, electrolyte imbalance [e.g., increased potassium, decreased magnesium]), nephrogenic diabetes insipidus[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Hypokalemia, electrolyte imbalance (including increased blood potassium, decreased blood magnesium)

Frequency not reported: Anorexia, hypomagnesemia, hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, hypercalcemia, acidosis, hyperamylasemia, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia, hypophosphatemia, hypernatremia, hyponatremia, hyperchloremia

Postmarketing reports: Hyperammonemia[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting

Frequency not reported: Melena, dyspepsia, epigastric pain, cramping, constipation

Postmarketing reports: Peritonitis[Ref]

Hematologic

Common (1% to 10%): Thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, anemia

Frequency not reported: Coagulation defects, blood dyscrasias (including eosinophilia), leukocytosis, decreased thromboplastin

Postmarketing reports: Pancytopenia[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Headache, tremor

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Convulsions, neuropathy

Frequency not reported: Peripheral neuropathy, deafness, hearing loss, tinnitus, transient vertigo, cerebral vascular accident, extrapyramidal syndrome, other neurologic symptoms, somnolence

Postmarketing reports: Encephalopathy, stupor[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anaphylactic response

Frequency not reported: Anaphylaxis, allergic reactions (including bronchospasm, wheezing, asthma), anaphylactoid reactions, infusion hypersensitivity reactions (including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, myalgia, pruritus, maculopapular rash, fever, hypotension, shock, bronchospasm, respiratory failure)[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Hypotension, cardiac arrest, hypertension, tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmias

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Shock

Frequency not reported: Cardiac failure, myocardial infarction, thrombophlebitis, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, ventricular fibrillation, atrial fibrillation, phlebitis, supraventricular tachycardia, abnormal ECG, cyanosis

Postmarketing reports: Asystole, bradycardia, hemorrhage, vasodilation[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Respiratory failure, dyspnea, pneumonia, respiratory disorder, asthma

Frequency not reported: Wheezing, pulmonary edema, hemoptysis, tachypnea, pulmonary embolus, pleural effusion, hypoxia, lung disorder, pneumonia, hyperventilation, increased cough, pharyngitis, apnea

Postmarketing reports: Bronchospasm[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Rash

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pruritus

Frequency not reported: Maculopapular rash, erythema multiforme, skin ulcer, exanthema

Postmarketing reports: Exfoliative dermatitis[Ref]

Local

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Injection site reaction

Frequency not reported: Injection site inflammation, injection site hypersensitivity[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Myalgia

Frequency not reported: Myasthenia, bone pain, joint pain, muscle pain[Ref]

Hepatic

Common (1% to 10%): Hyperbilirubinemia, abnormal liver function tests

Frequency not reported: Acute liver failure, jaundice, hepatitis, increased AST, increased ALT, veno-occlusive liver disease, hepatomegaly, cholangitis, cholecystitis, bilirubinemia[Ref]

Genitourinary

Frequency not reported: Oliguria, anuria, impotence, dysuria, hematuria, urinary tract infection, pyuria, urinary tract disorder

Postmarketing reports: Hyposthenuria, incontinence[Ref]

Ocular

Frequency not reported: Visual impairment, diplopia

Psychiatric

Frequency not reported: Confusion, insomnia, anxiety

Postmarketing reports: Agitation

References

1. Kline S, Larsen TA, Fieber L, Fishbach R, Greenwood M, Harris R, Kline MW, Tennican PO, Janoff EN. Limited toxicity of prolonged therapy with high doses of amphotericin b lipid complex. Clin Infect Dis. 1995;21:1154-8.

2. Oravcova E, Mistrik M, Sakalova A, Drgona L, Kollar T, Helpianska L, Ilavska I, Sorkovska D, Spanik S, Kukuckova E, Krcmery V. Amphotericin b lipid complex to treat invasive fungal infections in cancer patients: report of efficacy and safety in 20 patients. Chemotherapy. 1995;41:473-6.

3. Product Information. Abelcet (amphotericin B lipid complex). Liposome Company Inc, The.

4. Sharkey PK, Graybill JR, Johnson ES, Hausrath SG, Pollard RB, Kolokathis A, Mildvan D, Fanhavard P, Eng RHK, Patterson TF,. Amphotericin b lipid complex compared with amphotericin b in the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis in patients with AIDS. Clin Infect Dis. 1996;22:315-21.

5. Sundar S, Murray HW. Cure of antimony-unresponsive indian visceral leishmaniasis with amphotericin b lipid complex. J Infect Dis. 1996;173:762-5.

6. Rapp RP, Gubbins PO, Evans ME. Amphotericin B lipid complex. Ann Pharmacother. 1997;31:1174-86.

7. Lopez-Velez R, Videla S, Marquez M, et al. Amphotericin B lipid complex versus no treatment in the secondary prophylaxis of visceral leishmaniasis in HIV-infected patients. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2004;53:540-3.

8. Cerner Multum, Inc. UK Summary of Product Characteristics.

9. Cerner Multum, Inc. Australian Product Information.

10. Sorkin P, Nagar H, Weinbroum A, Setton A, Israitel E, Scarlatt A, Silbiger A, Rudick V, Kluger Y, Halpern P. Administration of amphotericin b in lipid emulsion decreases nephrotoxicity: results of a prospective, randomized, controlled study in critically ill patients. Crit Care Med. 1996;24:1311-5.

11. Gales MA, Gales BJ. Acute renal failure with amphotericin B in lipid emulsion. Ann Pharmacother. 1996;30:1036.

12. Rowles DM, Fraser SL. Amphotericin B lipid complex (ABLC)-associated hypertension: Case report and review. Clin Infect Dis. 1999;29:1564-5.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.