Amphotericin B Can Be Expensive — Here's How to Lower Your Costs

If you've been prescribed Amphotericin B for a serious fungal infection, the cost can be overwhelming — especially if you're uninsured, underinsured, or facing high deductibles. The price varies dramatically depending on which formulation you receive, and the ongoing shortage has made cost management even more complicated.

In this guide, we'll break down exactly what Amphotericin B costs in 2026, explore every available option for reducing your out-of-pocket expenses, and help you navigate the financial side of treatment.

What Does Amphotericin B Cost Without Insurance?

Amphotericin B pricing depends entirely on which formulation your doctor prescribes. Here's what you can expect to pay without insurance:

Conventional Amphotericin B Deoxycholate

• Per vial (50 mg): Approximately $49 to $70
• With a discount card (e.g., SingleCare): As low as approximately $35 to $50
• Full treatment course estimate: A typical course requires daily infusions for 2–6 weeks or longer, at doses of 0.5–1.5 mg/kg/day. For a 70 kg patient at 1 mg/kg/day, that's roughly 1–2 vials per day, totaling approximately $1,500 to $6,000+ for the drug alone (not including infusion costs).

Liposomal Amphotericin B (AmBisome)

• Per vial (50 mg): Retail price approximately $1,168 per 4-vial pack (~$292 per vial), with discount cards bringing it to approximately $300 per 4-vial pack (~$75 per vial) in some cases
• Full treatment course estimate: At 3–5 mg/kg/day for a 70 kg patient, you'd need 4–7 vials daily. Over a 2–4 week course, total drug costs can reach $20,000 to $50,000+.

Amphotericin B Lipid Complex (Abelcet)

• Per vial (100 mg/20 mL): Several hundred dollars per vial when available
• Currently on back order — pricing is variable when supply is available

Important: These are drug costs only. Hospital and infusion center administration fees, monitoring labs, and related costs can add significantly to the total.

Coupons and Discount Cards

While Amphotericin B is typically administered in a hospital (where discount cards may not apply to your bill), there are situations — particularly outpatient infusion settings — where coupons can help:

SingleCare

SingleCare lists Amphotericin B with potential savings. The retail price of approximately $69 per vial may be reduced with a SingleCare coupon. For liposomal Amphotericin B, SingleCare has shown prices as low as $301 for a 4-pack of 50 mg vials — a significant reduction from the ~$1,168 retail price.

GoodRx

GoodRx may show discounted pricing for Amphotericin B at pharmacies that carry injectable medications. Prices and availability vary by location. Check goodrx.com/amphotericin-b for current offers.

Other Discount Programs

Other coupon card programs like RxSaver, Optum Perks, and BuzzRx may also have offers for Amphotericin B formulations. However, since this is a hospital-administered medication, the applicability of retail discount cards depends on how your treatment is billed.

When discount cards work best: If you're receiving outpatient infusion therapy and the pharmacy is billing the medication separately (rather than bundled into a hospital facility fee), discount cards may provide meaningful savings.

Patient Assistance Programs

Unfortunately, there are no formal manufacturer patient assistance programs (PAPs) currently available for any formulation of Amphotericin B. This includes X-Gen (conventional), Leadiant Biosciences (Abelcet), and Gilead (AmBisome).

However, several resources can help you find financial assistance:

NeedyMeds (needymeds.org)

NeedyMeds maintains a comprehensive database of patient assistance programs, including disease-specific funds and charitable organizations that may help cover the cost of antifungal treatment. Even if there's no Amphotericin B-specific program, you may qualify for broader assistance based on your diagnosis.

RxAssist (rxassist.org)

RxAssist is a patient assistance program database that can help identify resources. While no Amphotericin B-specific programs are listed, they track manufacturer assistance programs broadly and may have updated information.

Hospital Financial Assistance

If you're being treated in a hospital, most facilities are required to have a financial assistance (charity care) policy. This can significantly reduce or eliminate your portion of the bill. Ask to speak with a hospital financial counselor or social worker before or during treatment.

State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs

Several states have pharmaceutical assistance programs that help residents afford medications. Check with your state health department or insurance commissioner's office for programs available in your area.

Other Ways to Save on Amphotericin B

1. Ask About the Conventional Formulation First

If your doctor determines that conventional Amphotericin B deoxycholate is appropriate for your infection, it costs significantly less than the lipid formulations — approximately $49–$70 per vial vs. $300–$1,200+. While the conventional form is harder to find due to the shortage, if your hospital has it in stock, it's the most affordable option.

2. Understand Your Insurance Coverage

Amphotericin B administered in a hospital or infusion center is typically billed under your medical benefit (not your pharmacy benefit). This means:

• It's subject to your medical deductible and coinsurance, not pharmacy copays
• If you've met your deductible, your out-of-pocket cost may be minimal
• Your out-of-pocket maximum applies — once you hit it, insurance covers 100%

Contact your insurance company to understand your specific coverage, deductible status, and out-of-pocket maximum.

3. Request Prior Authorization Proactively

If your doctor needs to switch you to a more expensive formulation (like AmBisome) due to the shortage, have the medical team submit prior authorization immediately — ideally before you need the first dose. Include documentation of the shortage to support the medical necessity.

4. Ask About Step-Down Therapy

Once your infection is responding to treatment, your doctor may be able to switch you to a less expensive oral antifungal like Fluconazole or Voriconazole for the remainder of your treatment. This "step-down" approach can dramatically reduce total treatment costs while still being clinically effective.

Learn more about alternative medications in our article on alternatives to Amphotericin B.

5. Explore Clinical Trials

If you have a difficult-to-treat fungal infection, clinical trials testing new antifungal agents may provide access to medication at no cost. Ask your infectious disease specialist about trials available through clinicaltrials.gov.

What About Medicare and Medicaid?

Medicare: Amphotericin B administered in a hospital is covered under Medicare Part A (inpatient) or Part B (outpatient infusion). You'll be responsible for the standard deductible and coinsurance. If the cost is creating hardship, ask about Medicare's Extra Help program or hospital financial assistance.

Medicaid: Medicaid typically covers Amphotericin B with minimal out-of-pocket cost to the patient. Coverage specifics vary by state. If you're not currently on Medicaid but facing high medical costs, a hospital social worker can help you apply.

Final Thoughts

Amphotericin B is a critical medication, and no one should have to forgo treatment due to cost. While the lack of formal manufacturer assistance programs is a gap, there are still meaningful ways to reduce your expenses — from discount cards and hospital financial assistance to insurance optimization and step-down therapy.

Start by talking to your medical team about which formulation is appropriate, then work with a financial counselor to explore every available option. And use Medfinder to locate the most affordable source of Amphotericin B near you.

For provider-facing guidance on helping patients manage costs, see our provider's guide to helping patients save money on Amphotericin B.