A 2-year concurrent drug use evaluation was conducted in 156 patients to determine whether Abelcet (amphotericin B lipid complex injection) was being prescribed according to institution-approved guidelines and to characterize the patient population receiving Abelcet. Eighty-nine patients (57%) had fungal infections documented by chest x-ray, computed tomography, or fungal cultures. Sixty-seven (43%) had clinically suspected fungal infections. The Abelcet mean dose by weight was 5 mg/kg/day (actual body weight). Seventy-one patients (46%) met the established guidelines for use; 85 (54%) did not. Premedication was given to 64% of the patients; only 15 patients (10%) experienced documented fever and chills. A total of 72 patients (46%) died during therapy. Of the 75 patients who completed therapy in the hospital, 41 were switched to conventional amphotericin B, fluconazole, or itraconazole following a decrease in serum creatinine concentration, and 34 did not receive further antifungal therapy. The mean length of Abelcet therapy was 11 days. The mean increase in serum creatinine concentration at discontinuation of therapy was 0.2 mg/dL. Continued monitoring of Abelcet use was recommended and established guidelines were reaffirmed. Hydration with normal saline before and after dosing was suggested to help improve renal function, and dopamine was recommended to increase renal blood flow.
Treatment of Non-Aspergillus Moulds in Immunocompromised Patients, with Amphotericin B Lipid Complex
