Amphotericin B: Antifungal Medication Overview

Purpose and Use

• Antifungal Medication: Amphotericin B is used to treat severe systemic fungal infections.
• Reserved for Severe Cases: Due to its numerous adverse effects, it is typically used as a last resort.

Memory Aid: Mnemonic

• Mnemonic Setting: Young man's kitchen with frogs.
• Amphibians Represent Amphotericin B: Frogs symbolize the drug.
• Falling Mushrooms: Symbolize antifungal activity (mushrooms = fungi).

Adverse Effects

Nephrotoxicity

• Kidney Beans Symbolism: Falling kidney beans remind of falling kidney function (nephrotoxicity).
• Monitoring: Important to monitor BUN, creatinine, and urine output levels closely.

Electrolyte Imbalances

• Hypokalemia

  • Banana Peel Symbolism: Empty banana peel represents low potassium (hypokalemia).
  • Management: Patients often require potassium supplementation.

• Hypomagnesemia

  • Magnet Symbolism: Falling magnets represent low magnesium (hypomagnesemia).
  • Management: Patients may need magnesium supplementation.

Infusion-Related Reaction

• Symptoms: Fever, chills, nausea, and hypotension.
• Management: Use of antipyretics (e.g., Tylenol) and anti-emetics can help manage symptoms.
• Expected Outcome: These symptoms are expected and not a reason to stop the infusion.

Summary

• Use: Amphotericin B is a strong antifungal used for severe infections.
• Side Effects: Include nephrotoxicity, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and infusion-related reactions.
• Management: Requires close monitoring and possible supplementation of electrolytes.
• Infusion Management: Pre-medication with other drugs can help manage infusion reactions, which are expected.

Additional Resources

• For more information and resources, such as fact lists and interactive review images, refer to additional study materials.