A Comparison of Fluconazole and Amphotericin B in the Treatment of Fungal Infections

Inclusion Criteria Concurrent Medication: Allowed: Immunostimulants under studies carried out under an IRB approved protocol. Treatments of intercurrent non-fungal infection. Allowed but requires monitoring during fluconazole therapy: Barbiturates. Phenytoin. Oral hypoglycemics. Coumarin-type anticoagulants. Patients must have the following: Diagnosis or presumption of fungal infection under defined conditions. Written informed consent either from the patient or the patient's legal guardian. Exclusion Criteria Co-existing Condition: Patients with the following conditions or symptoms are excluded: Burns > 30 percent of the body. Diagnosis of AIDS or AIDS related complex (ARC). HIV positive unless they have a malignancy. History of allergy to or intolerance of imidazoles or azoles. Moderate to severe liver disease as defined by specific lab values. Unlikely to survive more than 24 hours. Evidence of previous amphotericin B sensitivity. Concurrent Medication: Excluded: Concomitant antifungal agents other than the study drugs. Immunostimulants, except for studies carried out under an IRB approved protocol. Concurrent Treatment: Excluded: Lymphocyte replacements. Patients with the following are excluded: Defined disease conditions listed in Exclusion Co-Existing Conditions. Unlikely to survive more than 24 hours. Previous participation in this study; reentry for the same infection is not allowed. Known to be unable to take amphotericin B due to acute toxicities. Prior Medication: Excluded: Previous fluconazole therapy for this infection.