Shortage makes doctors fall back on other anti-fungal options
LUCKNOW : The lack of amphotericin B injections for the treatment of black fungus in private hospitals has prompted doctors to use other anti-fungal options, which are not as broad spectrum as amphotericin B.
“Anti-fungal drugs are available in different categories. Amphotericin B is first choice and covers almost all the types of fungal infection. But if not available, there are other antifungal injections being used,” said Dr RK Mishra of SIPS hospital where 12 black fungus patients have recovered till now.
“Ten patients recovered without amphotericin B, while two managed amphotericin B on their own. However, those given other options took a longer time to recover. But they recovered,” said Dr Mishra.
Dr Farookh Ansari, medical director of Chandan hospital, another private hospital treating black fungus patients, said instead of waiting for amphotericin B, other options were used on patients. Chandan hospital has treated over a dozen black fungus patients.
Amphotericin B is in short supply in the private sector while government-run medical colleges treating black fungus cases have an adequate stock. Hence, doctors in the private sector are using alternatives to save lives.
“We use amphotericin B as it covers all types of fungal infections. It takes 28 days to get a fungal culture report. Hence, instead of waiting, we start other available anti-fungal treatment options. In several cases it has worked.”
“The injection amphotericin B has been found most effective in black fungus cases. hence it is the preferred one. But if not
available, the other options can be used instead of waiting,” said senior plastic surgeon Dr Vaibhav Khanna, director of Healthcity hospital. Dr Ved Prakash, head of the department of pulmonary critical care medicine at King George’s Medical University, said, “Posaconazole has also been used in black fungus cases. Instead of injection amphotericin B, which is considered to cover maximum fungal infections, alternatives can also work among black fungus patients.”