Amphotericin B Lipid Complex Injection - Precautions 

Before administering amphotericin B lipid complex:

• Tell  your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to amphotericin B lipid complex or any other medications.
• Tell  your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: aminoglycoside antibiotics such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Nes-RX, Neo-Fradin), paramomycin (Humatin), streptomycin, and tobramycin (Tobi, Nebcin); certain antifungals such as clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex, others), fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and miconazole (Desenex, Lotrimin, Monistat, others); corticotropin (ACTH, H.P., Acthar Gel); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); digoxin (Digitek, Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin); flucytosine (Ancobon); medications for the treatment of cancer; oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone); pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam 300); and zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir, in Combivir, Trizivir).
• Tell  your doctor if you are receiving transfusions, or have or have ever had diabetes or kidney disease.
• Tell  your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking amphotericin B lipid complex, call your doctor.Do not breastfeed if you are taking amphotericin B lipid complex.
• If  you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking amphotericin B lipid complex.

Administering your medication

Before you administer amphotericin B lipid complex, look at the solution closely. It should be clear and free of floating material. Gently squeeze the bag or check the solution container to make sure there are no leaks. Do not use the solution if it is discolored, if it contains particles, or if the bag or container leaks. Use a new solution, but show the damaged one to your health care provider.

It is important that you use your medication exactly as directed. Do not stop your therapy on your own for any reason because your infection could worsen and result in hospitalization. Do not change your dosing schedule without talking to your health care provider. Your health care provider may tell you to stop your infusion if you have a mechanical problem (such as a blockage in the tubing, needle, or catheter); if you have to stop an infusion, call your health care provider immediately so your therapy can continue.

Storing your medication 

Talk to your health care provider about how you should store your medication. Your health care provider will probably tell you to store your medication in the refrigerator and to protect it from light. Do not allow this medication to freeze. Your health care provider will tell you when and how you should throw away any unused medication and will probably mark this date on the medication container. Ask your health care provider if you do not understand the directions or if you have any questions. 

Keep your supplies in a clean, dry place when you are not using them, and keep all medications and supplies out of reach of children. Your health care provider will tell you how to throw away used needles, syringes, tubing, and containers to avoid accidental injury.