Toxicity of amphotericin b in children with cancer
R. Wilson and S. Feldman
The pattern of amphotericin B toxicity was assessed retrospectively in a
group of 20 children with cancer who had received one or more courses of
the drug for treatment of systemic fungal infection. Azotemia was the most
frequent complication, developing during 23 of 24 treatment courses. Other
major toxic effects, in decreasing order of frequency, were anemia,
hypokalemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia. Infusion side effects,
including drug-related fever, chills, and nausea, were also frequently
seen. Seventeen of 20 patients were treated for disseminated
histoplasmosis. Nineteen of 20 patients had acute leukemia. Although
interaction with other agents could not be excluded, amphotericin B
appeared to be the major causative agent for the toxic reactions noted. In
no patient, however, was administration of amphotericin B stopped because
of drug toxicity.
