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This handout explains what Amphotericin B is and how to use it. If you have any questions, talk with your healthcare provider.
Amphotericin B
Amphotericin B (am-fo-ter-i-sin) is an antifungal medicine. It is used to treat and prevent infections caused by many types of fungus such as Candida or Aspergillus. This medicine kills the fungus by stopping its growth. It is sometimes used to control frequent lung infections that occur with cystic fibrosis (CF) or after lung transplant.
What You Need
Amphotericin pre-mixed syringe (2.5 mg per 0.5 mL)
Sterile water for inhalation neb solution
How to Mix or Prepare
Add one pre-mixed amphotericin syringe (0.5 mL) to your nebulizer cup
Dilute the amphotericin with 2.5 mL sterile water for inhalation (about one-half of one neb) to your nebulizer cup
How to Nebulize
Put the nebulizer together and start the treatment
Tips
Take slow, deep breaths while you inhale the medicine into your lungs.
A treatment takes about 10-15 minutes (until cup is empty).
Hold the cup upright so that the medicine does not spill.
If the medicine sticks to the sides of the cup, gently tap the side of the cup.
A new syringe and sterile water neb should be used for each treatment.
Follow the instructions from your healthcare provider on how often to nebulize.
Order of Treatment
Take all your inhaled medicine treatments in the order below. If you have not been given a certain medicine listed below, you can skip that step. Contact your healthcare provider if you have other inhaled medicines not listed below.
Bronchodilator (albuterol)
Hypertonic saline (sodium chloride 3% or 7%)
Amphotericin
How to Store
You can store these premixed syringes in the fridge for up to seven days. After the beyond use date (BUD) on the syringe, the medicine can’t be used and should be thrown away.
When to Use
This medicine should be used on a regular basis to help control fungal lung infections.
Side Effects
When inhaled, this medicine may cause some irritation to the lungs, or a cough. If these occur, tell your healthcare provider right away.
How to Clean and Disinfect the Small Volume Nebulizer
It is important to keep your nebulizer clean. Take apart the nebulizer and rinse the parts with hot water after each treatment.
To Clean
Take the nebulizer apart and wash the pieces in warm soapy water.
Rinse with hot tap water.
Place the nebulizer pieces in a bowl and add enough 70% ethyl alcohol to fully cover them.
Soak all parts for 20 minutes.
Rinse all parts of the nebulizer with sterile water. Do not use water from the faucet, bottled water, or distilled water. To make water sterile, you can boil it for 5 minutes.
Use this water once, and then throw it out.
Place the pieces on a paper towel to dry.
Equipment
If you have questions or need more supplies, call your Home Health Equipment provider.