Indications: candidiasis, systemic fungal infectins

Cautions: when given parenterally, toxicity common (close supervision necessary and test dose required); renal impairment; hepatic and renal function tests, blood counts, and plasma electrolyte (including plasma- potassium and magnesium concentration) monitoring required; corticosteroids (avoid except to control reactions); pregnancy, breast-feeding; avoid rapid infusion (risk of arrhythmias, Anaphylaxis)

Side Effects: anorexia, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, epigastric pain; febrile reactions, headache, muscle and joint pain; anaemia; disturbances in renal function (including hypokalaemia and hypomagnesaemia) and renal toxicity; also cardiovascular toxicity (including arrhythmias, blood pressure changes), blood disorders, neurological disorders (including hearing loss, diplopia, convulsions, peripheral neuropathy, encephalopathy), abnormal liver function (discontinue treatment), rash, anaphylactoid reactions; pain and thrombophlebitis at injection site.

Dose: By intravenous infusion, systemic fungal infections, initial test dose of 1 mg over 20–30 minutes then 250 mcg/kg daily, gradually increased over 2–4 days, if tolerated, to 1 mg/kg daily; max. (severe infection) 1.5 mg/kg daily or on alternate days.