The Collaborative International Dictionary
amphotericin \amphotericin\, amphotericin B \amphotericin B\n. 1. an antibiotic and antifungal agent ( C47H73NO17), produced by a strain of Streptomyces nodosus. It is one of a class of polyene macrolide antibiotics effective against fungal infections. It has a molecular weight of 924.11; it is soluble in oganic solvents but only slightly soluble in water.
Syn: Fungizone. [WordNet 1.5]
Wiktionary
n. A particular antifungal, often administered intravenously.
Wikipedia
Amphotericin B is an antifungal drug often used intravenously for serious systemic fungal infections and is the only effective treatment for some fungal infections.
Common side effects include a reaction of fever, shaking chills, headaches and low blood pressure soon after it is infused, as well as kidney and electrolyte problems. Allergic symptoms including anaphylaxis may occur.
It was originally extracted from Streptomyces nodosus, a filamentous bacterium, in 1955, at the Squibb Institute for Medical Research. Its name originates from the chemical's amphoteric properties. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system.
It is of the polyene class. Currently, the drug is available in many forms. Either "conventionally" complexed with sodium deoxycholate (ABD), as a cholesteryl sulfate complex (ABCD), as a lipid complex (ABLC), and as a liposomal formulation (LAMB). The latter formulations have been developed to improve tolerability and decrease toxicity, but may show considerably different pharmacokinetic characteristics compared to conventional amphotericin B.
Usage examples of "amphotericin b".
Ketoconazole, or in advanced cases where the fungus has invaded the central nervous system, amphotericin B injected directly into the cerebrospinal fluid.