Pentamidine (By injection)
pen-TAM-i-deen
Treats Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) and other types of infections.
Drug classes
Antiprotozoal (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Pentamidine is used to treat Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), a very serious kind of pneumonia. This kind of pneumonia occurs commonly in patients whose immune system is not working normally, such as cancer patients, transplant patients, and patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). In addition, your doctor may prescribe pentamidine for some other medical problems caused by protozoa. This medicine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Pentamidine may cause some serious side effects. Before you begin treatment with pentamidine, you and your doctor should talk about the good this medicine will do as well as the risks of using it.
Pentamidine is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, pentamidine is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
Leishmaniasis, cutaneous
Leishmaniasis, visceral (kala-azar)
Trypanosomiasis, African (African sleeping sickness)
If you are living in or will be traveling to an area where there is a chance of getting kala-azar or African sleeping sickness, the following measures will help to prevent reinfection with either disease:
If possible, sleep under fine-mesh netting to avoid being bitten by sandflies (which carry kala-azar) or tsetse flies (which carry African sleeping sickness).
Wear long-sleeved shirts or blouses and long trousers to protect your arms and legs, especially at dusk or during evening hours when sandflies are out. Since tsetse flies can bite through thin clothing, it is best to wear clothing made from fairly heavy material to protect arms and legs.
Apply insect repellant to uncovered areas of the skin when sandflies or tsetse flies are out.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given.
An IM shot is given in your muscle (upper arm, thigh, buttocks).
An IV is medicine that is put directly into your body through one of your veins.
This medicine should be given by a person trained to give IV or IM medicine, such as a nurse.
It is best to lie down while this medicine is given. To avoid dizziness, get up slowly.
If a dose is missed:
This medicine needs to be given on a regular schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor for instructions.
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:
Store your medicine at room temperature, away from heat and light.
Any pentamidine that has been prepared for the IV is good for 24 hours and should be kept at room temperature, away from heat and light.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
When Not To Use
You should not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to pentamidine.
Warnings
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
Before using this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you have low blood pressure, diabetes, low blood sugar, or liver or kidney disease.
You may need to use a home glucose (sugar) test to check your blood sugar levels while you are taking this medicine. Make sure you understand how to do this.
Your doctor may want to check your blood on a regular schedule while you are using pentamidine. Keep all appointments.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat
Feeling very hungry or thirsty
Nervousness, sweating, confusion
Unusual bleeding or bruising
Trouble breathing
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Pain, swelling, itching, or burning where the IV is given
Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
Change in taste or a metallic taste in your mouth
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Pentam
There may be other brand names for this medicine.
