Patient leaflet - Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal 50 mg powder for Dispersion for infusion
1. What Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal is and what it is used for
Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal is an antifungal antibiotic. The active ingredient in Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal is amphotericin B.
Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal is given as an infusion into a vein (a drip) in hospital by a doctor or nurse.
Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal is used to treat serious infections caused by fungi.
- Fungal infections of one or more deep organs of the body.
- Suspected fungal infections in patients with a raised temperature and neutropenia. Neutropenia is a reduced number of white blood cells called neutrophils. These are important in fighting infections. Neutropenia can be a side effect of cancer treatments.
Before you are given Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal your doctor will check that your fever is not due to bacteria or viruses. You will probably have had one or more antibiotics already. A fever which continues despite treatment may be due to a fungal infection. It’s difficult to confirm this with current tests, however.
- Visceral leishmaniasis, a disease caused by a parasite.
2. What you need to know before you are given Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal
Your doctor will not give you Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal:
- if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to Amphotericin B or any of the other ingredients of Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal. However, if your condition is life-threatening you may be given Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal if your doctor believes that only Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal can help you;
- If you have previously experienced a severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic or anaphylactoid) to liposomal amphotericin B. Symptoms of such immediate and life-threatening allergic reactions include: flushing, itching, sickness, swelling of the face, mouth, tongue and airways, often enough to cause difficulty breathing
Warnings and precautions
Your doctor will take special care with liposomal amphotericin B
- if you have a severe allergic (anaphylactic) reaction. If this happens your doctor will stop the infusion;
- if you get other reactions related to the infusion. If this happens, your doctor may slow down the infusion, so you receive Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal over a longer period of time (approximately 2 hours). Your doctor may also give you medicines to prevent or treat infusion-related reactions, such as diphenhydramine (an antihistamine), paracetamol, pethidine (for pain relief) and/or hydrocortisone (an anti-inflammatory medicine that works by reducing the response of your immune system);
if you are taking other medicines that may cause kidney damage, see the section other medicines and Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal.
Liposomal amphotericin B may cause damage to the kidney.
•
•
if blood tests show that your potassium levels are low. If this happens, your doctor may prescribe a potassium supplement for you to take while you are treated with Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal;
- if you have a white blood cell transfusion. Sudden and severe problems in the lungs can happen if you are given Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal infusion during or shortly after a white blood cell transfusion. Your doctor will recommend that the infusions are separated by as long a period as possible. This will reduce the risk of lung problems, and your lungs will be monitored;
- if you have had kidney failure and are having dialysis. Your doctor may start Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal treatment after the procedure has ended;
- if you have diabetes. Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal contains approximately 900 mg of sucrose (sugar) in each vial. Tell your doctor if you have diabetes.
Other medicines and Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, or have recently taken any. This includes medicines and herbal products you bought without a prescription.
Medicines that may cause kidney damage:
- medicines that suppress the immune system (immunosuppressants), such as ciclosporin and tacrolimus;
- certain antibiotics called aminoglycosides (including gentamicin, neomycin and streptomycin) and polymixins;
- pentamidine a medicine used to treat pneumonia in people with AIDS and leishmaniasis.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any of these medicines.
Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal may make any kidney damage caused by the medicine worse. If you are taking any of these medicines, your doctor or nurse will take regular blood samples to check your kidneys.
Medicines that may lower your potassium levels:
- corticosteroids, anti-inflammation medicines that work by reducing the response of your immune system;
- corticotropin (ACTH), used to control the amount of corticosteroid produced by your body. The body produces corticosteroid in response to stress;
- diuretics, medicines that increase the amount of urine your body produces. This includes furosemide;
- digitalis glycosides, medicines produced from the foxglove plant and used to treat heart failure (e.g digoxin). Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal may worsen the side effects of digitalis, such as heart rhythm changes;
- muscle relaxants usually used during surgery, such as tubocurarine. Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal may increase the muscle relaxant effect.
Other medicines:
- antifungal medicines, such as flucytosine. Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal may worsen the side effects of flucytosine. This includes changes in the body’s ability to produce new blood cells. This may be seen in blood tests;
- certain cancer medicines, such as methotrexate, doxorubicin, carmustine and cyclophosphamide. Taking this type of medicine with Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal may cause kidney damage, wheezing or trouble breathing and low blood pressure;
- white blood cell (leukocyte) transfusions. Sudden and severe problems in the lungs can happen if you are given Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal infusion during or shortly after a white blood cell transfusion. Your doctor will recommend that the infusions are separated by as long a period as possible. This will reduce the risk of lung problems and your lungs will be monitored.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.
Your doctor will only prescribe Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal if they think the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks to you and your unborn child or your baby.
Driving and using machines
Do not drive or operate machinery.
Some of the possible side effects of Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal could affect your ability to drive or use machines safely, See Section 4, Possible side effects.
Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal contains sugar
Tell your doctor if you have diabetes. Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal contains approximately 900 mg of sugar (sucrose) in each vial.
3. How Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal is given
Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal is always given to you by a doctor or nurse. It is given into a vein (a drip). Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal must not be given by any other method.
To prepare the infusion Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal must be dissolved in sterile water for injection and then diluted with a solution containing dextrose. Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal must not be mixed with saline (salt) solutions or with other medicinal products or electrolytes.
Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal is NOT interchangeable with other amphotericin products.
PACKAGE LEAFLET:
INFORMATION FOR THE USER
Tillomed liposomal 50 mg
powder for dispersion for infusion
liposomal amphotericin B
The following information is intended for healthcare professionals only:
READ THIS ENTIRE SECTION AND SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS CAREFULLY BEFORE BEGINNING RECONSTITUTION
Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal is not equivalent to other amphotericin products. Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal must be reconstituted using Sterile Water for Injection (without a bacteriostatic agent) and diluted in Dextrose solution (5%, 10% or 20%) for infusion only.
The use of any solution other than those recommended, or the presence of a bacteriostatic agent (e.g. benzyl alcohol) in the solution, may cause precipitation of Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal.
Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal is NOT compatible with saline and must not be reconstituted or diluted with saline or administered through an intravenous line that has previously been used for saline unless first flushed with dextrose solution (5%, 10% or 20%) for infusion. If this is not feasible, Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal should be administered through a separate line.
Do NOT mix Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal with other medicinal products or electrolytes.
Aseptic technique must be strictly observed in all handling, since no preservative or bacteriostatic agent is present in Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal, or in the materials specified for reconstitution and dilution.
Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal must be reconstituted by suitably trained staff.
Vials of Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal containing 50 mg of amphotericin B are prepared as follows:
- 1.
Add 12 ml of Sterile Water
for Injection to each
Amphotericin B Tillomed
liposomal vial, to yield a
preparation containing
4 mg/ml amphotericin B.
- 2.
IMMEDIATELY after the addition
of water, SHAKE THE VIAL
VIGOROUSLY for 30 seconds
to completely disperse the
Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal.
After reconstitution the concentrate
is a translucent, yellow dispersion.
Visually inspect the vial for
particulate matter and continue
shaking until complete dispersion is
obtained. Do not use if there is any
evidence of precipitation of foreign
matter.
- 3. Calculate the amount of reconstituted Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal (4 mg/ml) to be further diluted (see table below).
- 4. The infusion dispersion is obtained by dilution of the reconstituted Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal with between one (1) and nineteen (19) parts dextrose solution (5%, 10% or 20%) for infusion by volume, to give a final concentration in the recommended range of 2.00 mg/ml to 0.20 mg/ml amphotericin B as Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal (see table below).
- 5. Withdraw the calculated volume of reconstituted Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal into a sterile syringe. Using the 5-micron filter provided, instill the Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal preparation into a sterile container with the correct amount of dextrose solution (5%, 10% or 20%) for infusion.
- 2.
An in-line membrane filter may be used for intravenous infusion of Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal. However, the mean pore diameter of the filter should not be less than 1.0 micron.
Step 2
Dextrose Solution
WITH
Luer - Lock
Dextrose Solution WITHOUT
Luer - Lock
2.0 mg/ml to 0.2 mg/ml
Luer-Lock
5µm Filter
Syringe
containing
Tillomed liposomal
Syringe containing
Tillomed liposomal
5µm Filter Needle
Step 5
Severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic or anaphylactoid) can occur at any point of treatment of Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal. Therefore, each dose of Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal should be given slowly by infusion into the vein over a 30 – 60 minute period and you will be closely observed every time.
Your doctor or nurse will take blood samples to measure your creatinine (a chemical in the blood that reflects kidney function), and electrolyte levels (particularly potassium and magnesium) before and during the treatment with liposomal amphotericin B because both of these can be abnormal if you have kidney problems. This is particularly important if you have previous renal damage or if you are taking other medicines that may cause damage to the kidney. The blood samples will also be tested for changes in your liver, and your body’s ability to produce new blood cells and platelets. If blood tests show a change in kidney function, or other important changes, your doctor may give you a lower dose of Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal or stop treatment;
if blood test shows that your potassium levels are high you may suffer irregular heartbeat, sometimes severe;
Each dose of Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal should be given slowly by infusion into the vein over a 30 – 60 minute period and you will be closely observed every time. If a severe allergic reaction occurs, the infusion will be immediately discontinued, and you will not receive further infusion of Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal.
30 SEC
12 ml of
Water for Injection
= 4 mg/ml
Step 1
BROMI - Rebrand
[All]
[NA]
9 points (Reg text)
CC193169
Black C
Use in adults
Your dose of Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal will depend on your body weight.
Fungal infections of one or more deep organs of the body:
Suspected fungal infections in patients with a raised temperature and neutropenia:
Visceral leishmaniasis
You may be given a total dose of between 21 and 30 mg per kg of body weight, over a period of 10 to 21 days. Your doctor will decide on the amount of Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal you will receive and over how many days it will be given.
Use in children and adolescents
Liposomal amphotericin B has been used to treat children. The dose of Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal for a child is calculated per kg of body weight in the same way as for adults. Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal is not recommended in babies under 1 month old.
Use in elderly patients
No change in dose or frequency of infusion is needed for elderly patients.
Use in patients with kidney problems
Liposomal amphotericin B has been given to patients with kidney problems at doses ranging from 1 to 5 mg per kg of body weight per day. No change in dose or frequency of infusion is required. Your doctor or nurse will take regular blood samples to test for changes in kidney function during Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal treatment.
How long will the infusion take?
Normally the infusion will take 30 to 60 minutes. For doses greater than 5 mg per kg of body weight per day, the infusion could take up to 2 hours.
If you receive a higher dose of Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal than you should
You should tell your doctor immediately if you think you received too much Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal.
If you have any further questions on taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist or nurse.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Side effects during the infusion
You may get side effects during the infusion:
- Very common (These can affect more than 1 in every 10 people): fever, chills, and shivering.
- Less frequent infusion-related side effects include: chest tightness, chest pain, breathlessness, difficulty breathing (possibly with wheezing), flushing, a faster heart rate than normal, low blood pressure and musculoskeletal pain (described as joint pain, back pain, or bone pain). These side effects clear up quickly when the infusion is stopped. These reactions may not happen with future infusions of Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal or with a slower infusion (over 2 hours). Your doctor may give you other medicines to prevent infusion-related reactions, or to treat the symptoms if you do get them. If you have a severe infusion-related reaction, your doctor will stop the Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal infusion and you should not receive this treatment in the future.
Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in every 10 people):
- low blood potassium levels, leading to feeling tired, confused, having muscle weakness or cramps;
- feeling sick or being sick;
- fever, chills or shivering
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
- low magnesium, calcium or sodium blood levels, leading to feeling tired, confused, muscle weakness or cramps;
- high blood sugar levels;
- headache;
- a faster heart rate than normal;
- widening of the blood vessels, causing low blood pressure and flushing;
- breathlessness;
- diarrhoea;
- stomach (abdominal) pain;
- rash;
- chest pain;
- back pain;
•
•
abnormal results for liver or kidney function showing up in blood tests or urine
high blood potassium levels.
tests;
- severe allergic (anaphylactoid) reaction;
- fits or seizures (convulsions);
- difficulty breathing, possibly with wheezing.
Other side effects
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
- anaemia (low red blood cell levels), with symptoms of excessive tiredness, being out of breath after light activity, and a pale complexion;
- severe allergic (anaphylactic) or sensitivity reactions;
- heart attacks and heart rhythm changes;
- kidney failure and kidney problems. Signs include tiredness and passing less urine;
- severe swelling of the skin around the lips, eyes or tongue;
- breakdown of muscle;
- bone pain and joint pain
Interference with Phosphorus blood test results. False readings showing an increase in the levels of phosphate in your blood may occur when samples from patients receiving liposomal amphotericin B are analysed using a specific system called a PHOSm assay.
If your test results show high levels of phosphate, then further analysis using a different system may be necessary to confirm the results.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal
Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal is stored in the hospital pharmacy.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the vial label and the carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not store above 25°C.
Do not throw away any medicine via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicine you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal contains
The active ingredient is Amphotericin B.
Each vial contains 50 mg of amphotericin B enclosed inside liposomes (small fat particles).
The other ingredients are hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol,
distearoylphosphatidylglycerol, alpha tocopherol, sucrose (sugar), disodium succinate hexahydrate, sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid.
What Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal looks like and contents of the pack
Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal is a sterile, Light Yellow to Yellow coloured powder for dispersion for infusion. It is presented in 20-ml glass vial.
Each vial contains 50 mg of the active ingredient amphotericin B. The closure consists of a rubber stopper and an aluminum ring seal fitted with a removable plastic cap. Vials are available in cartons with 5-micron filters.
Pack sizes: 1 vial with 1 filter and 10 vials with 10 filters Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Marketing Authorisation Holder
Tillomed Laboratories Limited
220 Butterfield, Great Marlings
Luton, LU2 8DL, United Kingdom
Manufacturer
Tillomed Laboratories Limited
220 Butterfield, Great Marlings
Luton, LU2 8DL, United Kingdom
Tillomed Malta Limited
Malta Life Sciences Park
LS2.01.06 Industrial Estate
San Gwann, SGN 3000, Malta
This leaflet was last revised in September 2024.
Hard to read?
To get this information in large print or another format, please email medical.information@tillomed.com or call 0800 970 6115.
Example of the preparation of Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal dispersion for infusion at a dose of 3 mg/kg/day in dextrose 5% solution for infusion.
Weight
(kg)
Number
of vials
Amount
Tillomed
liposomal (mg) to
be withdrawn for
further dilution
Volume of
reconstituted
Tillomed
liposomal (ml)*
To make up a 0.2 mg/ml
concentration
(1 in 20 dilution)
To make up a 2.0 mg/ml concentration
(1 in 2 dilution)
Volume of 5%
dextrose
needed (ml)
Total volume
(ml;
Amphotericin
B Tillomed
liposomal plus
5% dextrose)
Volume of 5%
dextrose
needed (ml)
Total volume (ml;
Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal plus 5% dextrose)
10 1 30 7.5 142.5 150 7.5 15
25 2 75 18.75 356.25 375 18.75 37.5
55 4 165 41.25 783.75 825 41.25 82.5
70 5 210 52.5 997.5 1050 52.5 105
85 6 255 63.75 1211.25 1275 63.75 127.5
* Each vial of Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal (50 mg) is reconstituted with 12ml Water for Injection to provide a concentration of 4 mg/ml amphotericin B.
Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
Treatment is normally started at 3 mg per kg of body weight, every day for a minimum of 14 days. The duration of therapy will be determined on an individual basis by your Doctor. Your doctor may decide to increase the amount you receive to as high as 5 mg per kg body weight.
For mucormycosis the starting dose is normally 5 to 10 mg per kg of body weight per day. The duration of therapy will be determined on an individual basis by your doctor.
For HIV associated Cryptococcal meningitis a single dose of 10 mg/kg
Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal, in combination with daily flucytosine 100 mg/kg and daily fluconazole 1200 mg, both administered for 14 days.
The recommended daily dose is 3 mg per kg of body weight, per day. Your doctor may decide to increase the amount you receive to as high as 5 mg per kg body weight. Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal will be given to you until your temperature is normal for 3 days in a row. However, Amphotericin B Tillomed liposomal must not be given for more than 42 days in a row.
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in every 100 people):
- bleeding into the skin, unusual bruising and bleeding for a long time after injury;