Amphotericin B colloidal dispersion

Amphotericin B colloidal dispersion (ABCD) is a colloidal dispersion of a stable complex of amphotericin B with cholesteryl sulphate in a 1:1 proportion, forming uniform disk-shaped particles. ABCD is associated with less nephrotoxicity than conventional amphotericin B deoxycholate. Infusion-related adverse events are more frequent in patients receiving ABCD than in patients receiving liposomal amphotericin B or amphotericin B deoxycholate. ABCD has been shown in a randomised, double-blind study, to be an effective alternative to amphotericin B deoxycholate for empirical treatment of patients with fever and neutropenia. ABCD is active in the treatment of invasive Candida spp. and Aspergillus spp. infections in immunocompromised hosts, however most of the data supporting its use for these types of infections is derived from non-comparative open-label clinical trials of patient refractory to or intolerant of conventional antifungal therapy. ABCD is approved by the US FDA for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis in patients where renal impairment of unacceptable toxicity precludes the use of amphotericin B deoxycholate in effective doses, and in patients with invasive aspergillosis where prior amphotericin B deoxycholate therapy has failed. Two other lipid formulations of amphotericin B, amphotericin B lipid complex and liposomal amphotericin B, are available and, like ABCD, are associated with reduced nephrotoxicity as compared to amphotericin B deoxycholate. The role of ABCD in comparison with these other lipid formulations of amphotericin B is discussed herein. High cost remains an issue with all lipid formulations of amphotericin B.