LoginAbelcet
Generic Name: amphotericin lipid complex
Product Name: Abelcet
Indication: What Abelcet is used for
Abelcet is used to help the body overcome serious fungal infections by either killing the fungus or stopping it spreading. It is not used to treat bacterial or viral infections.
Abelcet is only available with a doctor’s prescription. It is not addictive.
If you have any questions about using Abelcet ask your doctor.
Action: How Abelcet works
Abelcet contains amphotericin, an antibiotic that belongs to a group of medicines called antifungals.
Amphotericin B, the active antifungal agent in Abelcet, may be fungistatic or fungicidal, depending on its concentration and on fungal susceptibility. The drug probably acts by binding to ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane causing subsequent membrane damage. As a result, cell contents leak from the fungal cell, and ultimately, cell death occurs.
Amphotericin B is active against many fungal pathogens in vitro, including:
- Candida sp.;
- Cryptococcus neoformans;
- Aspergillus sp.;
- Mucor sp.;
- Sporothrix schenckii;
- Blastomyces dermatitidis;
- Coccidioides immitis;
- Histoplasma capsulatum.
Amphotericin B has little or no activity against bacteria or viruses.
Each 20 mL vial contains 100 mg amphotericin B. It also contains the inactive ingredients dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine, dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol, sodium chloride, and water for injections.
Dose advice: How to use Abelcet
Before you are given it
You must tell your doctor if:
- You have ever had an allergic reaction to amphotericin, the active ingredient in Abelcet, or an allergic reaction to any of the other ingredients of Abelcet listed here.
- You should not be given Abelcet if you are allergic to amphotericin or any of the other ingredients in this medicine, unless your doctor believes it is important for you to take it.
- Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
- Hives or an itchy skin rash;
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing;
- Wheezing or troubled breathing;
- Faintness;
- You have kidney or liver problems or any other serious illness.
- Your doctor may need to consider whether you should receive Abelcet or change the way it is given to you;
- You are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
- Like most medicines, Abelcet is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It is uncertain whether or not it can affect the unborn child;
- If it is necessary for you to receive this medicine, your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking Abelcet;
- You are breastfeeding or want to start breastfeeding.
- It is not known if Abelcet is passed into breast milk and therefore is not recommended for mothers who breast feed their babies;
- You are taking medicines which may affect your kidneys.
- Some medicines may affect the way Abelcet works. As you are probably unsure which medicines may affect your kidneys, it is important to tell your doctor about any other medicines you are taking, including medicines you buy from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop;
- In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- Nephrotoxic drugs;
- Anticancer agents (chemotherapy);
- Digoxin (e.g. Lanoxin);
- Corticosteroids (e.g., hydrocortisone, betamethasone, dexamethasone, prednisolone, methyl prednisolone) and corticotrophin (ACTH, Acthar);
- Zidovudine (e.g. Retrovir);
- Cyclosporin (e.g. Neoral, Sandimmun).
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Abelcet.
If you have not told your doctor about any of these things, tell them before you take Abelcet.
How it is given
Abelcet will be given to you by your doctor or nurse. It is usually given while in hospital.
The correct amount of Abelcet will be filtered and added to an I.V. bag containing glucose solution. It is given by intravenous infusion (slow injection into one of your veins via a “drip”).
How much is given
The amount of Abelcet you will be given depends on your body weight and will be decided by your doctor. The usual daily dose is 5.0 mg of Abelcet for every kilogram of body weight given as a single infusion over approximately 2 hours.
How long it is given for
Treatment with Abelcet is usually for at least 14 days. Your doctor may decide to treat you for a longer or shorter time than this depending on the type of fungal infection you have and your body’s response to Abelcet.
If you receive too much (overdose)
Since Abelcet is given to you by a doctor or nurse, it is unlikely that you will receive an overdose. However if you experience any side effects tell your doctor or nurse immediately. Should an overdose occur, your doctor will know how to treat you.
Storage
Abelcet will usually be kept in the pharmacy department of the hospital where you are receiving the treatment. The medicine is stored at 2°C – 8°C (refrigerate – do not freeze), protected from light.
The infusion is given to you as soon as practicable after dilution and preparation. If it cannot be given to you immediately, it can be held at 2°C – 8°C for up to 24 hours. Any unused solution from the preparation would be discarded.
Schedule of Abelcet
Abelcet is a Schedule 4 – prescription only medicine.
Side effects of Abelcet
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you do not feel well while you are taking Abelcet, even if you do not think it is connected with the medicine.
Like other medicines, Abelcet may cause some side effects. Sometimes they are serious, but most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects. Your doctor will know how to treat you if these occur.
If you are elderly you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.
The most common side effects of Abelcet are chills and fever. You may be given medicine such as paracetamol (e.g. Panadol) to help stop these side effects.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- Fast heart rate;
- Bleeding or bruising more easily than normal;
- Headache;
- Tremor;
- Asthma, shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing;
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain;
- Rash;
- High blood pressure;
- Dizziness, lightheadedness.
Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
- Hives or an itchy skin rash;
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing;
- Wheezing or troubled breathing;
- Faintness.
These side effects could be signs of a serious allergic reaction which would require urgent medical attention and treatment. Your doctor will know how to treat you if these occur.
Some side effects may not give you any symptoms and can only be found when tests are done. While you are being treated with Abelcet, your doctor will conduct blood tests to frequently check your kidney, liver and blood functions to watch for possible side effects.
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some people. Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that worries you or that is making you feel unwell, even if it is not on this list.
For further information talk to your doctor.
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