Nurse Teaching Topic: How to Take Amphotericin B

 Patient/caregiver was educated on how to take Amphotericin B as follows:

  1. Amphotericin B is usually administered intravenously.
  2. The medication can be stored at room temperature for 24 hours, once reconstituted. Avoid exposure of the medication to light and store it in a dark room.
  3. The medication can be stored in the refrigerator frozen for 2 to 3 weeks. Thaw the medication container by getting it out of the refrigerator, one to two hours before the time of administration. Do not administer the medication cold. Administering the medication right out of the refrigerator into the vein can precipitate intense chills and rigors.
  4. Avoid multiple freeze-thaw cycles to preserve the integrity of the antibiotic.
  5. Shake the container before administration for 15 seconds. Make sure the medication container is clear and free of any suspended particles, before use. Discard the medication at the notice of any suspended particles or if the contents are cloudy or discolored.
  6. Evenly space out the doses of the antibiotic and take the dose at the scheduled time every day. Keeping to the schedule helps with maintaining a constant level of the antibiotic in the body, which is needed for infection control. Also, this helps to avoid forgetting the dose of medication.
  7. While administering the dose, administer the dose into the vein only at the recommended rate. Rapid administration of the intravenous dose of Amphotericin B can result in sudden and rapid increase in the blood levels of the medication, which can be toxic.
  8. Do not reuse the sharps and syringes used for the infusion procedure. Discard the sharps into a sharps container.
  9. Maintain strict compliance with intake of Amphotericin B as ordered, with regards to dosage and frequency, to derive the benefit of the medication. The dose and length of treatment depends upon the medical condition, severity of infection, and response to treatment.
  10. Complete the course of the antibiotic that it was prescribed for. Do not give up on the antibiotic, against your doctor’s recommendation, even if the symptoms of infection are controlled.
  11. Noncompliance with Amphotericin B intake for the complete schedule can result in ineffective infection control with chance of relapse of infection with increased vigor. This can also contribute towards emergence of drug resistant strains of fungi, making infection control more difficult.
  12. Do not change the dose on premixed Amphotericin B without consulting your doctor.
  13. Watch out for any continuing or worsening signs and symptoms of infection, to report to your doctor immediately, so that, a change in plan could be considered.
  14. If you miss a dose, try taking it at the earliest notice of noncompliance. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the dose scheduled. Do not take an extra dose to try making up for the missed dose. Notify your doctor and other health care personnel regarding your dose noncompliance.