A Review of Published Cases Regarding the Amphotericin B Deoxycholate Overdose in the Pediatric Population and a Case

Marzieh Shahrabi1, Sana Savadi2, Yousef Tavakolifar3

  • 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Current Drug Safety
|October 17, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Mistakenly administering amphotericin B deoxycholate can lead to severe complications. Aggressive cardiac and fluid monitoring is crucial for managing overdose in pediatric patients, ensuring stable outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Clinical Toxicology

Background:

  • Two common amphotericin B formulations are easily confused, leading to medication errors.
  • A comprehensive review of managing amphotericin B overdose in children was lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize available data on amphotericin B overdose management in pediatric patients.
  • To discuss the management and outcomes of a pediatric case of amphotericin B deoxycholate overdose.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of PubMed and Google Scholar for reported cases of amphotericin B overdose.
  • Detailed case report of an 8-year-old pediatric patient with Ewing sarcoma who received a fivefold overdose of amphotericin B deoxycholate.

Main Results:

  • Ten relevant cases were identified and reviewed.
  • The pediatric case received aggressive fluid and electrolyte management and cardiac monitoring for seven days.
  • The patient was discharged in stable condition.

Conclusions:

  • Amphotericin B deoxycholate overdose can cause severe toxicity, including cardiotoxicity and electrolyte imbalance, potentially leading to death.
  • Aggressive monitoring and management of cardiac function, fluids, and electrolytes are critical for favorable outcomes.
  • Further research is needed on the role of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and hydrocortisone in managing amphotericin B deoxycholate overdose.

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