[Ambulatory therapy with amphotericin B].

Therapy of systemic fungal infection with amphotericin B (AmB) must be continued for several months and is usually performed on an inpatient basis because of the risk of drug toxicity. Between 1983 and 1987 we treated 14 outpatients with a total of 164 AmB infusions. Side effects were generally mild and easy to control. Progressive impairment of renal function led to dose reduction and interruption of therapy in only one patient. Ambulatory therapy with AmB is feasible in an outpatient unit with adequate experience, and a significant reduction of treatment costs can result. Outpatient therapy is an acceptable alternative to inpatient treatment. Patients with malignant diseases under palliative therapy will profit most from the reduced duration of hospital stay.