Amphotericin
Amphotericin
Amphotericin (pronounced am-foe-ter-i-sin) is a polyene antifungal medication used for serious fungal infections and leishmaniasis. The fungal infections it is used to treat include aspergillosis, blastomycosis, candidiasis, coccidioidomycosis, and cryptococcosis.
Etymology
The term "Amphotericin" is derived from the Greek words 'amphi' meaning 'both' and 'teres' meaning 'round', referring to the drug's ability to bind to both fungal and human cells.
Usage
Amphotericin is typically administered intravenously due to its poor absorption when taken by mouth. It is also available in a topical formulation for fungal infections of the skin.
Side Effects
Common side effects include a reaction with fever, chills, and headache immediately after the medication is given, as well as kidney problems and anemia.
Related Terms
- Antifungal medication: A pharmaceutical fungicide or fungistatic used to treat and prevent mycosis such as athlete's foot, ringworm, candidiasis, cryptococcal meningitis, and others.
- Aspergillosis: A disease caused by the fungus Aspergillus, usually in people with lung diseases or weakened immune systems.
- Blastomycosis: A fungal infection usually acquired by breathing in the spores of the fungi Blastomyces dermatitidis or B. gilchristii.
- Candidiasis: A fungal infection due to any type of Candida (a type of yeast). When it affects the mouth, in some countries it is commonly called thrush.
- Coccidioidomycosis: A fungal disease, commonly known as valley fever, caused by the Coccidioides species, which are present in the soil of certain parts of the United States, Mexico, Central and South America.
- Cryptococcosis: A fungal disease caused by Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii and can be potentially fatal if not treated.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Amphotericin
- Wikipedia's article - Amphotericin
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