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amphotericin B

drug
Also known as: Fungizone

Quick Summary

Amphotericin B is an antibiotic derived from a soil streptomycete, Streptomyces nodosus. It is primarily administered intravenously to treat serious, potentially life-threatening systemic fungal infections.1

As a polyene antifungal drug, amphotericin B works by interacting with ergosterol in fungal membranes, forming channels that disrupt membrane integrity and lead to the loss of cellular components. Due to structural similarities between ergosterol and cholesterol, amphotericin B can cause toxicity, particularly to the kidneys. Lipid-based formulations are available to reduce this toxicity. It is used for severe fungal diseases like cryptococcal meningitis, histoplasmosis, and blastomycosis.2

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. amphotericin B
  2. antifungal drug

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