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The chemical formula for amphotericin B is C47 H75 N O17.
Oral preparations of amphotericin B are rarely used. The main use is in systemic fungal infections (e.g. in immunocompromised patients), and in visceral leishmaniasis . Aspergillosis, cryptococcus infections (e.g. meningitis) and candidiasis are treated with amphotericin B. It is also used empirically in febrile immunocompromised patients who do not respond to broad-spectrum antibioticA broad-spectrum antibiotic is so called due to its activity against a wide range of infectious agents. A good example is amoxicillin. Uses Broad-spectrum antibiotics are used in roughly two medical situations: Where the infectious agent will not become ks.
As with other polyene antifungals, amphotericin B associates with ergosterolErgosterol is the biological precursor to Vitamin D. It is turned into viosterol by ultraviolet light, and is then converted into ergocalciferol, which is a form of Vitamin D. Nutrition., a membrane chemical of fungi, forming a pore that leads to K+potassium calcium Na K Rb Full table General Name, Symbol, Numberpotassium, K, 19 Series alkali metals Group, Period, Block 1(IA), 4 , s Density, Hardness 856 kg/m3, 0. 4 Appearance silvery white Atomic properties Atomic weight 39. 0983 amu Atomic radius leakage and fungal cell death. Recently, however, researchers found evidence that pore formation is not necessarily linked to cell death. The acutal mechanism of action may be more complex and multi-faceted.
Side-effects can be severe; nephrotoxicity (kidney damage) is a major issue. Other side-effects include headacheA headache is a condition of mild to severe pain in the head; sometimes upper back or neck pain may also be interpreted as a headache. Headaches have a wide variety of causes, ranging from eyestrain to inflammation of the sinus cavities to life-threatenin, vomitingVomiting (or emesis is the forceful expulsion through the mouth of the contents of one's stomach. It is a mechanism for expelling ingested illness-causing food poisons. The act may be triggered by stimuli which might indicate the possibility of poisoning,, convulsions and fever; it has to be withdrawn occasionally from patients to determine whether their fever is due to amphotericin B or an actual infection. A similar problem exists with cytarabineCytarabine is a shortened form of cytosine arabinoside a commonly used chemotherapy agent used mainly in the treatment of leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is also known as Ara-C Cytosar®-U Tarabine® PFS or other local brand names. Cytosine arabinosid.
The side-effects are much milder when amphotericin B is delivered in liposomeA liposome is a spherical vesicle with a membrane composed of a phospholipid bilayer used to deliver drugs or genetic material into a cell. The lipid bilayer can fuse with other bilayers (e. the cell membrane), thus delivering the liposome contents. By mas (AmBisome®). This preparation is more expensive, but makes the drug more tolerable, especially in patients with known renal failure.