Pentamidine Isethionate(pen ta’ ma deen ess thye’ oh nate)
Parenteral: Pentam 300
Inhalation: NebuPent
PREGNANCY CATEGORY C
Drug Class
Antiprotozoal
Therapeutic Actions
Antiprotozoal activity in susceptible Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia infections; mechanism of action is not fully understood, but the drug interferes with nuclear metabolism and inhibits the synthesis of DNA, RNA, phospholipids, and proteins, which lead to cell death.
Indications
Treatment of P. jiroveci pneumonia, especially in patients who do not respond to therapy with the less toxic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole combination (injection)
Inhalation: Prevention of P. jiroveci pneumonia in high-risk, HIV-infected patients
Unlabeled use (injection): Treatment of trypanosomiasis, visceral leishmaniasis
Contraindications and Cautions
If the diagnosis of P. jiroveci pneumonia has been confirmed, there are no absolute contraindications to the use of this drug.
Contraindicated with history of anaphylactic reaction to inhaled or parenteral pentamidine isethionate (inhalation therapy), lactation.
Use cautiously with hypotension, hypertension, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, hypocalcemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, asthma, QT-interval prolongation, hepatic or renal impairment, pregnancy.
Available Forms
Injection—300 mg/vial; powder for injection—300 mg; aerosol—300 mg
Dosages
Adults and pediatric patients older than 4 mo
Parenteral
4 mg/kg once a day for 14–21 days by deep IM injection or IV infusion over 60–120 min.
Inhalation
300 mg once every 4 wk administered through the Respirgard II nebulizer.
Pharmacokinetics
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