Why are the new forms of Amphotericin B safer?
There are several safer forms of amphotericin B which are mixtures of the drug with various fats. These are called liposomal, lipid complex and colloidal dispersion forms of amphotericin B and are sold under the names Ambisome, Abelcet and Amphocil/Amphotec respectively. These drugs are all given intravenously and are less toxic because amphotericin B is tightly bound to the fat mixtures and will not leave these mixtures unless it meets something it is more attracted to. The fats in human cells cannot attract amphotericin B away from the fat mixtures very easily, but the fats in fungal cells can. They particularly reduce kidney dysfunction, compared with conventional amphotericin B.
