Antifungals: Polyene

Question 1

Types of Polyene Drugs

Answer 1

Amphotericin B, Nyastattin

Question 2

MOA

Answer 2

Binds to ergosterol present in fungal cell membrane and forms pores in the cell membrane, where cell contents leak out resulting in cell death

Question 3

Amphotericin B MOA

Answer 3

Binds to sterol in the cell membrane lining; allowing K+ and mg2+ to leak out, altering fungal cell metabolism; results in fungal cell death

Question 4

Antifungal Pharmacokinetics

Answer 4

• Not absorbed orally; given IV
• Insoluble in water
• Widely distributed in the body
• Has a long t½ of 15 days
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Question 5

Adverse Effects

Answer 5

• Fever, chills, muscle spasms, vomiting, dyspnoea, headache and hypotension.
• Should be injected cautiously and slowly to avoid arrhythmias.
• Pain and thrombophlebitis at the site of injection
• Decreased erythropoietin production and bone marrow depression