Effect of tissue penetration on AmBisome efficacy

Curr Opin Investig Drugs. 2003 Feb;4(2):179-85.

Abstract

Amphotericin B reformulated into the liposomal formulation known as AmBisome (amphotericin B, hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol and dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol) can be safely administered at dosages 15 times higher than the conventional drug with the same broad spectrum of activity. Increased doses demonstrate non-linear clearance with saturation of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) and redistribution of the drug into non-RES tissues. The efficacy of this liposomal amphotericin B formulation appears to be related both to improved tissue penetration in the lungs, brain, kidneys, liver and spleen along with sustained bioactivity of therapeutic drug levels in these target tissues.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amphotericin B / pharmacokinetics*
  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacokinetics*
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Brain Diseases / metabolism
  • Brain Diseases / microbiology
  • Dermatomycoses / drug therapy
  • Dermatomycoses / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Liver Diseases / metabolism
  • Liver Diseases / microbiology
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / drug therapy
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / metabolism
  • Mycoses / drug therapy
  • Mycoses / metabolism
  • Mycoses / prevention & control
  • Splenic Diseases / drug therapy
  • Splenic Diseases / metabolism

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • liposomal amphotericin B
  • Amphotericin B