Abelcet

Introduction

Written by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Brittany A. Duke, PharmD, RPh
Updated on August 18, 2023

Abelcet is a brand-name medication prescribed for fungal infections in certain situations. Abelcet belongs to a group of drugs called antifungals.

Uses of Abelcet

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Abelcet for certain conditions. Approved uses for Abelcet are described below.

Use for fungal infections

Doctors may prescribe Abelcet intravenous (IV) infusion for treating fungal infections. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children ages 1 month to 16 years. Doctors usually prescribe it as a short-term treatment.

Abelcet is a lipid-based form of amphotericin B, which is a fungal medication. Specifically, the FDA has approved Abelcet IV infusion to treat fungal infections in people who either:

• can’t take the standard formulation of amphotericin B
• took the standard formulation of amphotericin B, but it didn’t work to treat their infection

Doctors may prescribe Abelcet to treat a fungal infection called invasive aspergillosis in people with a history of kidney problems. These individuals can’t take the standard formulation of amphotericin B due to the risk of side effects that worsen kidney problems.

Abelcet is an injection given by IV infusion (an injection given into your vein over time). A healthcare professional administers it.

Side effects of Abelcet

Abelcet may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of Abelcet and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about Abelcet’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for Abelcet listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects of Abelcet are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about Abelcet’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for Abelcet listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Abelcet’s mild side effects include:

• mild infusion reaction during or shortly after an Abelcet infusion,† such as fever and chills
• nausea
• vomiting
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Abelcet” section.
† Abelcet is given by intravenous (IV) infusion, which is an injection given into your vein over time.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of Abelcet are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about Abelcet’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for Abelcet listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, Abelcet’s serious side effects include:

• serious infusion reactions, such as trouble breathing
• kidney problems, such as sudden kidney failure
• low or high blood pressure
• blood cell disorders, such as low level of platelets
• electrolyte imbalances, such as low level of potassium in the blood
• heart attack
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Abelcet” section.

Interactions and warnings for Abelcet

Below, you’ll find information about Abelcet’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of Abelcet

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you start Abelcet treatment, your doctor or pharmacist will check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for Abelcet” section below.

Warnings for Abelcet

Abelcet could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether Abelcet is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for Abelcet, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Abelcet can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Abelcet or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Abelcet. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to Abelcet, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and Abelcet

Information about Abelcet and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Abelcet and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Abelcet treatment is safe to receive during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before starting this medication.

Abelcet and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Abelcet is safe to receive while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before starting this medication.

Common questions about Abelcet

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about Abelcet.

Is Abelcet similar to AmBisome?

Yes. Abelcet and AmBisome are both prescribed to treat fungal infections in certain situations. Both contain the same active drug: amphotericin B. (An active drug is what makes a medication work.)

Abelcet and AmBisome are fat-based formulations of the drug. Abelcet and AmBisome have a relatively lower risk of kidney-related side effects than the standard formulation of amphotericin B.

 Abelcet and AmBisome are formulations of different fatty substances. These are different types of fatty substances designed to build up in your body’s tissues. Then they slowly release the active drug into your body to treat your infection.  

These medications are brand-name versions of amphotericin B. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less compared to brand-name drugs.

How does Abelcet work? And how long does it take to start working?

Doctors prescribe Abelcet to treat infections caused by certain types of fungus. It works by attaching to specific parts of the fungal cell membrane (the protective outer layer of the fungal cell). This damages the cell membrane and causes the cell’s contents to leak, leading to cell death.

Abelcet starts working soon after you receive your first dose. It may take several days or weeks to treat your fungal infection.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about Abelcet or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Do any of my current medications interact with Abelcet?
• How long will I need to receive Abelcet?
• Does Abelcet cause hearing loss?
• Are there any other options to treat my infection?

Resources

• Abelcet (amphotericin B lipid complex injection). (2018). https://leadiant.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Abelcet-PI-11302018.pdf
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.