Question:easy
Amphotericin B causes deficiency of?
Amphotericin B causes deficiency of?
Show Hint
Renal tubular damage with this antifungal causes wasting of K.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- Sodium (Na)
- Calcium (Ca)
- Potassium (K)
- Magnesium (Mg)
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Think of amphotericin B as a drug that is hard on the kidneys. By interacting with sterols in cell membranes it not only kills fungi but also injures the renal tubular epithelium, increasing its permeability and impairing reabsorption. The downstream consequence is heavy renal wasting of electrolytes, and the cation lost most conspicuously is potassium, producing clinically important hypokalaemia that requires monitoring and supplementation during therapy. Magnesium can also be depleted by the same tubular mechanism and may need replacing, yet the single best textbook answer linked to amphotericin B is potassium depletion. Deficiencies of sodium or calcium are not the hallmark electrolyte disturbances of this agent. So the electrolyte the drug drives down is potassium. \[\boxed{\text{Potassium (K)}}\]
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