What is the Difference Between Amphotericin B and Liposomal Amphotericin B?

Amphotericin B and liposomal Amphotericin B are both antifungal agents used to treat various fungal infections. The difference between the two lies in their formulation and side effect profile.

Amphotericin B:

Conventional formulation
Deoxycholate salt
Can cause kidney damage (nephrotoxicity)
Known to cause infusion-related side effects

Liposomal Amphotericin B (AmBisome®):

Unique lipid formulation
Forms an ionic complex with the disteareoylphosphatidyl glycerol, promoting the retention of amphotericin B within the liposomes
Less nephrotoxic compared to conventional amphotericin B
Fewer infusion-related side effects

In a clinical trial comparing the two formulations, liposomal amphotericin B was found to have fewer proven fungal infections, fewer infusion-related side effects, and less nephrotoxicity, although the two drugs were equivalent in overall efficacy. Liposomal amphotericin B has been shown to provide an equally efficacious alternative to conventional amphotericin B deoxycholate in patients with AIDS and acute cryptococcal meningitis.

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What is the Difference Between Amphotericin B and Liposomal Amphotericin B?

Comparative Table: Amphotericin B vs Liposomal Amphotericin B

Amphotericin B and Liposomal Amphotericin B are both antifungal medications, but they differ in their formulation and some of their properties. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the two:

Property	Amphotericin B	Liposomal Amphotericin B
Formulation	Conventional antifungal (deoxycholate)	Lipid-formulated antifungal
Administration	Typically 0.5-1.0 mg/kg/day	1-3 mg/kg/day, incrementally increased daily
Tissue Concentration	Lower concentrations in primary reticuloendothelial organs (lungs, liver, spleen)	Higher concentrations in primary reticuloendothelial organs
Renal Toxicity	Significant renal toxicity	Markedly reduced renal toxicity
Hepatotoxicity	Significant hepatotoxicity	Significantly reduced hepatotoxicity
Efficacy	Effective against various fungal infections	Comparable efficacy to conventional Amphotericin B

Liposomal Amphotericin B (AmBisome®) has several advantages over conventional Amphotericin B, including an increased daily dosage of the parent drug (up to 10-fold), higher tissue concentrations in the primary reticuloendothelial organs (lungs, liver, spleen), a decrease in infusion-related side effects, and a marked decrease in renal and hepatotoxicity. Both formulations have been shown to be effective against various fungal infections.

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.