Tratamiento de infecciones fúngicas sistémicas. III parte: Anfotericina B, aspectos farmacoeconómicos y decisiones terapéuticas

Abstract

This third part contains a review on amphotericin B, pharmacoeconomical aspects and clinical decision involved during therapy selection of antifungal agents. Amphotericin B, the standard of antifungal therapy is associated with significant infusion adverse events and nephrotoxicity but has the widest spectrum of activity against fungal species involved in human infections. It is a recognized first line-therapy in high-risk patients with criptocococcal meningitis, invasive aspergillosis, mucormicosis, and as an empirical therapy in persistently febrile neutropenic patients without renal failure. Several lipid associated formulations of amphotericin B are available that provide lesser nephrotoxicity but at a considerable higher cost and an adverse cost-effectiveness ratio. Several small-randomized controlled trials of Intralipid formulations of amphotericin B have been published but controversy remains. Few pharmacoeconomical analysis have been published and mostly refer to lipid associated formulations of amphotericin B versus the conventional form. As stated, potential economical benefits obtained with lipid associated formulations of amphotericin B by avoiding more cases of renal failure are surpassed by their enormous acquisition costs. On the other hand, amphotericin B is a cost-effective alternative compared to a prolonged iv fluconazol therapy but not when switching to oral therapy is scheduled before the first week. Intravenous itraconazole (not available in Chile) is reportedly more cost-effective than conventional amphotericin B for the treatment of persistently febrile neutropenic patients.