Amphotericin B

Amphotericin B (aka "Amphoterrible") is an antibiotic that is used to treat life-threatening mycotic infections.  Amphotericin has a low therapeutic index and causes fevers, hypotension, renal dysfunction, and thrombophlebitis. Amphotericin binds ergosterol in the fungal membrane resulting in formation of pores that allow electrolytes to migrate into or out of the cell, which kills the fungus.  

Class Drugs

Amphotericin B

Class Mechanism of Action

Binds ergosterol in fungal membrane and forms pores that allow electrolytes to migrate, which leads to cell death

Fungicidal/fungistatic

Class Application

Life-threatening mycoses

• Candidiasis

• Cryptococcus neoformans

• Histoplasma capsulatum

• Aspergillus

• Coccidioides immitis

• Blastomyces dermatitidis

Leishmaniasis

Class Adverse Effects

Low Therapeutic Index

• "Amphoterrible"

Fevers/chills

Renal dysfunction

Hypotension

Hypokalemia

Thrombophlebitis

Drug Table

Drug Name	Application	Comments	Image
Amphotericin B			"Amphibian" "Photo"