Clinical use of amphotericin B and derivatives: lore, mystique, and fact.

Since 1955, when amphotericin B was introduced into clinical therapy, a lore has grown up surrounding its use that often lacks evidential basis. Matters such as rate of intravenous injection, periodicity of administration, dosage, and the monitoring of therapy should not be shrouded in a mystique that is passed on from one generation of house officers to another. Factual rationalization of the use of amphotericin B should be pursued and is attempted in this article.