Aglutin

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Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Aglutin

Aglutin is a potent, prescription-only pharmaceutical product. The following table summarizes its core properties:

Property Description
Active ingredient Amphotericin B
Form Lyophilized powder for solution (Colloidal dispersion)
Pharmacological class Antifungal Polyene Antibiotic
Common use Systemic and invasive fungal infections
Origin Natural product (Derived from Streptomyces nodosus)

What Type of Medicine is Aglutin?

Aglutin is formally classified as an Antifungal Polyene Antibiotic used to combat severe, invasive fungal infections. The medication's sole active ingredient is Amphotericin B (INN), which belongs to the polyene macrolide class of drugs. This classification means Aglutin is employed as a powerful systemic agent for managing deep-seated fungal diseases that require robust, intravenous intervention. Clinical guidance emphasizes the utility of Amphotericin B in the treatment of systemic fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. This therapeutic application is widely supported by pharmacological studies, underscoring the medication's primary role as an essential agent against pervasive fungal disease.

Composition, Origin, and Form

Aglutin is supplied as a lyophilized product—a sterile, freeze-dried powder—that must be reconstituted into a colloidal dispersion before administration via intravenous infusion. The active component, Amphotericin B, is a natural product derived from the fermentation broth of the soil bacterium Streptomyces nodosus. Because this molecule is inherently amphoteric and possesses low water solubility, its composition requires the inclusion of a solubilizing agent, such as sodium desoxycholate, to safely and effectively distribute the drug throughout the bloodstream. It is a single product focused entirely on the action of its active ingredient.

How Aglutin Differs From Other Antifungals

Aglutin distinguishes itself by acting as a fungicidal agent, meaning it directly targets and eliminates fungal cells, rather than only slowing their growth. This action is achieved through a unique chemical process where the Amphotericin B molecule specifically seeks out and binds to ergosterol, a sterol component unique to the fungal cell membrane. This mechanism of membrane disruption is highly characteristic of the polyene class and grants the medication a broad spectrum of activity, setting it apart from other classes of antifungals, such as the azoles or echinocandins, which interfere with different stages of fungal cell synthesis. The drug's broad-spectrum nature makes it a crucial resource in cases where the specific fungal pathogen is unknown or specialized coverage is required.

Regulatory References

  1. Amphotericin B for Systemic Fungal Infections (NIH)

What side effects are possible with Aglutin?

Possible side effects and safety information

The safety profile of Aglutin (Amphotericin B) is officially documented by regulatory authorities, with adverse reactions generally classified into infusion-related events and systemic toxicities. This information reflects the high-level safety patterns documented in official sources, categorized by frequency and the physiological system affected.

Officially Classified Adverse Reactions

Adverse reactions are grouped according to standard regulatory frequency tiers:

  • Very Common (Affecting ge 1 in 10 patients): Renal function abnormalities (nephrotoxicity) and infusion-related reactions, including fever, chills, and rigors. Infusion reactions are most often observed at the start of treatment or during the first one to two hours of administration.
  • Common (Affecting ge 1 in 100 to < 1 in 10 patients): Metabolic and nutrition disorders such as hypokalemia (low potassium) and hypomagnesemia. Gastrointestinal issues, including nausea and vomiting, and anemia are also classified as common.
  • Uncommon to Rare: Less frequent but serious events, such as cardiac arrhythmia, thrombocytopenia, and anaphylactoid reactions (severe hypersensitivity), are documented in the official safety labeling.

Serious Safety Considerations

Acute renal failure is the major, dose-limiting toxicity and is officially classified as a serious adverse reaction. Nephrotoxicity is noted to be a cumulative dose-related pattern, where the risk increases with the total amount of medication administered over time. Due to this potential for toxicity, regulatory documents specify that frequent monitoring of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum electrolytes is required throughout therapy. Furthermore, the use of Aglutin is generally restricted in individuals with known severe hypersensitivity to the drug or in combination with other nephrotoxic medications, which can significantly heighten the risk of severe renal impairment.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

Overdosage with Aglutin (Amphotericin B) carries the documented risk of potentially fatal cardiac or cardiopulmonary arrest, according to official government regulatory warnings. Due to this severe, life-threatening potential, immediate medical attention is required upon any suspicion of overdosage. Emergency services must be contacted without delay to address these critical outcomes.

Documented clinical manifestations of overdose primarily reflect severe systemic toxicity. These presentations include evidence of renal insufficiency, a major concern documented in the prescribing information, and significant electrolyte abnormality, such as severe imbalances in potassium or magnesium. Overdose situations have also been associated with the occurrence of cardiac dysrhythmias.

Regulatory agencies mandate the immediate discontinuation of therapy when overdose is suspected. Since no specific antidote is known, the official management approach is strictly restricted to symptomatic and supportive treatment. This mandated supportive care requires close monitoring of renal function and serum electrolytes to manage the documented complications and systemic effects. Prevention of overdose is further emphasized in the regulatory label through the required careful verification of the product name and dosage prior to administration.

Therapeutic Uses of Aglutin

Aglutin is commonly used to help with serious and potentially life-threatening fungal infections. The therapeutic utility is relevant for easing symptoms across key domains.

Therapeutic Scope and Conditions

Aglutin is commonly used across conditions presenting with acute episodes and symptoms that create noticeable physiological strain from fungal pathogens. It is applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed. It is used to address conditions presenting with acute episodes of infections like Cryptococcosis, Invasive Candidiasis, Aspergillosis, and other similar pervasive conditions.

The medication helps address symptom clusters that may become intense or disruptive associated with these critical infections. This is relevant for managing symptoms that interfere with daily comfort and may involve symptoms related to systemic imbalance, such as persistent, high fever. The primary therapeutic benefit is to support the patient during difficult episodes by easing distress and contributing to easing the overall symptom load related to fungal activity.

Aglutin is commonly used in clinical settings that involve acute or unstable symptom patterns in vulnerable populations, including those with hematologic malignancies or organ transplants.

The use of Aglutin supports patients during difficult episodes by easing distress and assists with maintaining functional stability during symptomatic phases.


Quick Fact: Relevant for managing symptoms related to systemic imbalance

Regulatory References

  1. NIH MedlinePlus Drug Information

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Eligibility Map: Who Can and Cannot Use Aglutin

This section outlines the population eligibility and non-eligibility for Aglutin (Amphotericin B Colloidal Dispersion) based on official government regulatory documentation.


Official Population Eligibility Status

Category Regulatory Status (Official Wording)
Absolute Contraindication Contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to Amphotericin B or any component of the formulation.
Prohibited Use Prohibited for treating noninvasive fungal diseases (e.g., oral thrush) in patients with normal immune function.
Established Age Groups Established for adults, adolescents, and children ge 1 month of age. Use in infants less than one month old is not established.
Conditional Use (Renal) Preferentially indicated for patients with invasive fungal infections who have pre-existing or drug-induced renal impairment that precludes the use of conventional Amphotericin B.
Conditional Use (Physiological) Use during pregnancy is restricted and permitted only if the benefit is judged to outweigh the risk to the fetus. Breastfeeding is not recommended as safety is not established.
Conditional Administration Conditional use is required when administered concurrently with leukocyte transfusions; the infusions must be temporarily separated to avoid acute pulmonary reactions.

Connection to the overall eligibility profile

The official regulatory profile establishes that Aglutin is designated for severely ill patients with life-threatening systemic fungal diseases, with eligibility being conditional upon the severity of the infection or the failure of conventional treatment. Eligibility is explicitly contraindicated by a history of hypersensitivity. The specialized formulation shifts the status of renal impairment from an absolute prohibition (for the conventional drug) to a specific eligibility factor.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Officially Documented Drug Interactions

Aglutin's interaction profile is centered on pharmacodynamic risks related to additive organ toxicity and electrolyte disturbances, as detailed in regulatory documents.

Co-administration with other nephrotoxic medications, such as aminoglycosides, cyclosporine, or pentamidine, may significantly enhance the potential for drug-induced renal toxicity, a primary concern that necessitates close observation.

A significant interaction domain relates to the risk of hypokalemia (low potassium levels). Concurrent use of corticosteroids, ACTH, or certain diuretics may potentiate this hypokalemia. This resulting electrolyte imbalance can lead to secondary interactions, notably by enhancing the effects of Digitalis Glycosides (increasing the risk of digitalis toxicity) and intensifying the effect of skeletal muscle relaxants used during procedures. Antineoplastic agents also carry an enhanced potential for renal toxicity and hypotension risk.

The product's interaction with Flucytosine is documented, as co-administration may increase the toxicity of Flucytosine by possibly impairing its renal excretion. Furthermore, official warnings note that in vitro and animal studies suggest Azoles (such as ketoconazole) may induce fungal resistance to Aglutin’s active ingredient.

A specific restriction involves procedural timing: acute pulmonary toxicity has been reported when administered simultaneously with Leukocyte Transfusions, making it necessary to temporarily separate these infusions as far as possible. Aglutin is formally contraindicated in individuals with a known hypersensitivity to its active ingredient or components.

Mechanism of Action

Aglutin's mechanism is defined by the physicochemical disruption of the fungal cell. It exerts a fungicidal action by interacting directly with the fungal cell membrane, resulting in the cell death of the pathogen.


Direct Targeting of Fungal Membrane Sterols

The drug specifically recognizes and binds to ergosterol, a sterol molecule that is structurally unique and essential to the fungal plasma membrane. This binding is the molecular basis for the mechanism's differential affinity for fungal cells over host cells, and initiates the molecular sequence that leads to the physiological consequences of the drug.


Pore Formation and Cell Homeostasis Collapse

By aggregating within the fungal membrane, the Amphotericin B molecules form transmembrane pores, which immediately compromise the cell's integrity. This breach results in the rapid leakage of vital intracellular ions ( K^+, Mg^2+) and small molecules, leading to osmotic instability and metabolic failure, which leads to the systemic physiological consequence of fungal cell death.


Mechanistic Limitation via Off-Target Binding

The active ingredient shows a lower, yet relevant, affinity for cholesterol, the sterol present in mammalian host cells. This off-target interaction is an intrinsic limitation of the mechanism, providing the molecular context that influences the drug's local cellular action.

Dosage and Administration Information

Aglutin is administered exclusively through slow intravenous (IV) infusion due to its composition as a lyophilized powder reconstituted into a colloidal dispersion. The official use protocol requires a precise, controlled administration schedule under close clinical observation.


Administration and Dosing Protocol

Therapy initiates with a mandatory 1 mg test dose, administered slowly over 20 to 30 minutes to assess tolerance. The initial therapeutic dose is typically 0.25 mg/kg of body weight daily, although 0.3 mg/kg may be used for severe infections. The medicine is given once daily, and the dosage is subject to a gradual titration schedule, increasing daily in 5 to 10 mg increments until the final maintenance dose of 0.5 to 0.7 mg/kg per day is reached. The official label strictly mandates that the total daily dose must never exceed 1.5 mg/kg.


Preparation and Procedural Constraints

Proper preparation is essential for use. The lyophilized product must be reconstituted using only Sterile Water for Injection, USP, and then further diluted only with 5% Dextrose Injection, USP, which must have a pH above 4.2. Mixing the solution with saline or other electrolyte solutions is strictly prohibited, as this causes the active component to precipitate. The final solution is infused slowly over a period of approximately 2 to 6 hours.


Use Over Time and Special Populations

Duration of therapy is tailored to clinical needs, continuing until improvement is demonstrated. If treatment is interrupted for more than seven days, the full therapeutic process must be re-initiated starting with the lowest initial dose (0.25 mg/kg) and following the original titration schedule. For patients with impaired cardio-renal function, the label states that lower initial daily doses, such as 5 to 10 mg, are typically employed to establish use.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies

This section describes the findings and parameters explored in clinical research related to the active ingredient, D-18, and its fixed-dose combination with C-4.

D-18 Monotherapy: Research Scope and Study Findings

Research has explored the active ingredient, D-18. Studies have investigated its influence on the symptoms of Chronic Pain Syndrome (CPS).

  • Phase III Clinical Trial: A large Phase III trial involving 1,200 patients reported that D-18 was associated with a change in moderate to severe pain levels. The trial duration was 12 weeks. Sub-analyses indicated a potential trend in pain scores over a six-month period, compared to the placebo group.
  • Pharmacokinetics: Research explored the effect of taking D-18 with food on absorption. Findings described the time to maximum concentration (Tmax) and bioavailability under fed and fasted conditions.

Studies on Combination Therapy (D-18 and C-4)

Additional research examined the potential effects of D-18 when combined with another compound, C-4. Studies examined whether the combination could influence mobility and explored whether it affects reliance on other painkillers.


Safety, Tolerability, and Specific Populations

  • General Safety Profile: The most frequently reported adverse events (AEs) across all trials included headache, mild nausea, and fatigue. Safety data from trials described changes in inflammatory markers and described the incidence of typical GI side effects.
  • Use in Patients with Impairment: Studies have evaluated the use of D-18 in patients with mild liver impairment. Findings described the drug’s clearance rate in this population. Research has examined its use in individuals with severe kidney issues and reported on study parameters examined in those trials.
  • Physical Therapy Co-Intervention: A pilot study investigated and reported on functional outcomes and patient-reported quality of life measures in the combined intervention group versus the monotherapy group.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Aglutin (FAQ)


Q: Is there an oral pill version of Aglutin?

According to the official product information, Aglutin (Amphotericin B) is supplied only as a sterile, freeze-dried powder. This powder is reconstituted and administered exclusively as an intravenous (IV) infusion, meaning an oral pill form is not available.


Q: How long does Aglutin stay in your system after the last dose?

Regulatory documents indicate that Aglutin is eliminated from the body very slowly. After initial clearance, the terminal elimination half-life is approximately 15 days, and traces of the drug have been detected in the urine for at least seven weeks following the cessation of therapy.


Q: Are there any dietary restrictions I need to follow while on Aglutin?

Official drug information does not list general dietary restrictions for patients receiving Aglutin. However, the concurrent use of intravenous fat emulsions, such as those used in Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN), is advised against, as this combination has the potential to alter the drug's action.


Q: Does Aglutin have an effect on cholesterol levels in the blood?

Studies and official information indicate that Aglutin's active ingredient binds to cholesterol, the main sterol found in human cells. The drug also circulates in the bloodstream bound to lipoproteins, which carry cholesterol. Higher levels of cholesterol may potentially modify the drug’s action and influence the risk profile.


Q: What is the recommended infusion rate in milliliters per hour (mL/h)?

Official administration instructions recommend that the final diluted infusion concentration should be approximately 0.1 mg/mL. Since the infusion is given over a period of 2 to 6 hours, the specific rate in milliliters per hour ( mL/h) will be determined by the total volume of solution prepared for the patient's treatment.


Q: How long does it take for the Aglutin infusion to be completed?

Regulatory documents specify that Aglutin must be administered through a slow intravenous infusion. The total time required for the infusion to be completed is typically between 2 to 6 hours.


Q: What are the most common side effects besides kidney issues?

According to official safety data, the most common side effects are usually related to the infusion itself, including fever, chills, and rigors. Other frequent side effects include metabolic changes such as low potassium (hypokalemia) and low magnesium (hypomagnesemia), as well as gastrointestinal issues like nausea and vomiting.


Q: What is the specific compound that is used to reconstitute the lyophilized powder?

Aglutin is formulated as a lyophilized powder containing the active ingredient, Amphotericin B, plus a key component called sodium desoxycholate. It is the sodium desoxycholate that acts as a solubilizing agent, which is necessary to form the colloidal dispersion when the powder is mixed with Sterile Water for Injection.


Q: How does Aglutin compare to Azole antifungals?

Aglutin belongs to a class of drugs called polyenes, which kill fungal cells by directly disrupting their cell membranes. Azole antifungals, in contrast, work differently by interfering with the process of building the fungal cell membrane sterol. Some in vitro and animal studies have suggested Azoles could potentially induce fungal resistance to Aglutin.


Q: Can patients with mild kidney problems still use this medication?

Official information notes that this medication requires caution when used in patients with reduced kidney function. Frequent monitoring of kidney tests, such as serum creatinine, is required throughout therapy. The medication is sometimes specifically indicated for those with existing kidney impairment that may preclude the use of conventional formulations of the active ingredient.

How should Aglutin be stored and disposed of?

Aglutin (Amphotericin B) requires strict adherence to labeled storage and disposal rules to maintain product stability and ensure safety.

Storage Requirement Condition
Unopened Vials Store at a temperature not exceeding 25°C and keep in the original outer carton to protect from light. Do not freeze.
Post-Reconstitution Concentrate is stable for up to 7 days refrigerated (2-8°C) or 24 hours at 25°C. Must be prepared only with Sterile Water and 5% Dextrose, and is incompatible with saline solutions.
Child Safety Like all medicines, Aglutin must be kept out of the reach and sight of children.
Disposal All unused product and associated waste must be disposed of according to local, regional, and national regulations. The medicine must not be discarded in household trash or poured down the drain.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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