Ambisome (amphotericin B liposomal) is a medication used to treat major and potentially fatal fungal infections such as meningitis (a brain infection) in HIV patients. According to Drugs.com, Ambisome is an antifungal antibiotic that destroys fungal infections in your body. It is not meant for minor fungal infections such as vaginal yeast infections. Ambisome is available as an intravenous infusion (method of slowing delivering the medication) that is administered over a period of two to six hours. Typically, you will receive Ambisome treatment every day or every other day, says MedlinePlus.
Common Side Effects
According to Drugs.com, Ambisome can routinely cause trouble sleeping, anxiety and irritation, pain or swelling at the injection site. It can cause nausea, vomiting, headaches, poor appetite, unintentional weight loss, diarrhea, muscle or joint pain, diaphoresis (sweating), a mild rash and skin itching. MedlinePlus says that Ambisome can cause tinnitus (ringing in your ears), hearing loss, pale skin and burning, numbness or tingling of your feet or hands. Talk to your doctor if these side effects are bothersome and last for three days or more.
Rare Side Effects
Sometimes, you may develop a reaction to the infusion after one to three hours of treatment, says Drugs.com. You may develop nausea, dizziness, sweating, chest tightness, fevers, lightheadedness or trouble breathing. Inform your doctor at once when you experience these side effects. Ambisome can cause chest pain, confusion, drowsiness, frequent or decreased urination, hematuria (bloody urine), poor appetite, yellowing of your skin (jaundice), dark-colored urine, muscle pain and fainting spells. Ambisome's other harmful side effects include weakness, easy bleeding or bruising, restlessness, extreme thirst and dry mouth. Call your doctor immediately and she will determine whether Ambisome should be discontinued.
Additional Side Effects
According to the National Library of Medicine, Ambisome can cause sepsis (bacterial blood infection), back pain, high or low blood pressure, tachycardia (fast heartbeat) and edema (swelling). Ambisome can change the levels of glucose and electrolytes in your body, and cause hyperglycemia (high sugar levels), hypernatremia (elevated sodium levels), hypocalcemia (low calcium levels), hypokalemia (low potassium levels) and hypomagnesemia (low magnesium levels). Ambisome's other side effects include epistaxis (nosebleeds) and an increased cough.
Miscellaneous Concerns
Avoid Ambisome if you are allergic to amphotericin B deoxycholate or any of its other components. You may develop difficulty breathing, tongue or facial swelling and hives.
Drugs.com says you should tell your doctor if you have heart or kidney disease. Ambisome may be less effective, exacerbate these diseases and cause the aforementioned effects.
Inform your physician if you are taking tacrolimus, muscle relaxers, other antifungal medications, antiviral medications, digoxin and cancer medications such as carmustine. Ambisome can combine with any of these medications and cause side effects.
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