Drug Interaction:
Drug interactions-
Other nephrotoxic drugs-aminoglycosides , amphotericin B , cisplatin, foscarnet,
or vancomycin
concomittant use of pentamidine isethoionate and other nephrotoxic drugs such as
aminoglycosides , amphotericin B , cisplatin, foscarnet, or vancomycin should be
closely monitored and avoided
Indication:
Pneumocystis carnii
Adverse Reaction:
Adverse reactions-
Most frequently reported-
CNS- headace,
GI - diarrhoea
Hematologic - anemia
Respiratory - chest pain, cough, wheezing
Special senses - bad taste
Miscellanoeous- night sweats,
Infection- bronchitis, non-specific herpes, non-specific influenza, oral candiditis,
sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infections
Contra-Indications:
Hypersensitivity reactions
Special precautions-
Hypotension-
Patients may decvelop sudden severe hypotension after a single dose of penntamidine, whether
given IVor IM.
Patients should therefore patients receiving the drug should be lying down and blod pressure
monitored closely during administration
Hyperglycemia- pentamidine isothionate hypoglycemia has occurred. Therefore blood glucose
levels should be monitored daily during therapy
Special risk - to be used with caution in patients with hypertension, hypotension, ventricular
tachcardia, leukopenia, thrbocytopenia, anemia, hepatic or renal dysfunction and
Stevens -Johnson syndrome
Pregnancy - should not be given to a pregnant women unless the potential benefit outweigh the
unknown risks
Lactation- should not be given to nursing mothers
Children- efficacy and safety profiles in pediatric beyond 4 months of age were similar
to those observed in adults.
Monitoring- mionitor before , during and after therapy the following.
- daily blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine determinations
- daily blood glucose determinations
- complete blodd count and platelet count
- liver function test , including serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase AST, ALT
- serum calculations
- ECGs
Dosages/ Overdosage Etc:
Indication-
Pneumocystis carnii
Dosage-
Adults- 4mg/kg once a day for 14 to 21 days
Children-
4 months of age or older- see adults dose
Patient Information:
Ref - USP PDI Vol II 17th Edition (1997)
PENTAMIDINE - Systemic
1.Allergies-
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to
pentamidine. Also tell your healthcare care professional if you are allergic
to any other substances such as foods. preservatives or dyes.
2. Diet-
Make certain that your doctor knows that you are on a low-sodium,
low- sugar or any other special diet. Since most medicines contain
more than their active ingredient some products may have to be
avoided.
3.Pregnancy-
Pentamidine has not been studied in pregnant women. However,
studies in rabbits have shown an increase in miscarriage and bone
defects in the fetus
3. Breast-feeding-
It is not known whether passes into breast milk. However, because
of risk of side effects in the newborn, breast-feeding is not recommended
during treatment with this medicine.
4.Children-
Although pentamidine has not been widely used in children,this medicine
is not expected to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.
5.Older adults-
There is no specific information comparing use of pentamidine in the elderly
with use in other age groups
6. Other medicines-
Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following-
Amphotericin B or
Antithyroid agents or
Azathioprine or
Chloramphenicol or
Colchicine or
Flucytosine or
Ganciclovir or
X-rays treatment or
Zidovudine or
If you evr been treated with x-rays or cancer medicine - when taken
with pentamidine these medicines will increase the chance of damage
to your blood cells
7. Other medical problems-
Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems
especially-
Anemia or
Bleeding disorders or
Heart disease or
Hypotension or
Kidney disease or
Liver disease - pentamidine may make the conditions worse.
Diabetes mellitus or
Hypoglycemia - pentamidine may increase or decrease blood sugar
levels and disturb control of sugar
Pregnancy and lactation:
Pregnancy -
Should not be given to a pregnant women unless the potential benefit outweigh the
unknown risks
Lactation-
Should not be given to nursing mothers
Children-
Efficacy and safety profiles in pediatric beyond 4 months of age were similar
to those observed in adults.
Manufacturer Details