Pentamidine

Drug #552

Pentamidine is antiprotozoal agent. Pentamidine is aromatic diamidine, formulated as isethionate and methanesulfonate salts. Pentamidine is used in the treatment of protozoal infections including pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) and leishmaniasis.

← Previous drug Next drug →

Primary Characteristics

It is of Synthetic origin and belongs to Amidine.

It belongs to Antibiotic (Prokaryote DNA) pharmacological group on the basis of mechanism of action.

Molecular Weight: 592.7 · pK_a: 11.4 · Solubility in Water: 1 in 10 · Solubility in Alcohol: low · Non-proprietary name: Pentamidine.

Pharmacokinetics

Distribution: Pentamidine has a volume of distribution is 3.31 l/kg.

Elimination: plasma half-life is 6.4 hr (I/V), 9.36 hr (I/M), renal excretion is 2 - 4 %.

Indications

Pentamidine is primarily indicated in conditions like Cutaneous leishmaniasis, Leishmaniasis, NSAID-associated gastric or duodenal ulcers, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, Trypanosomiasis, Visceral leishmaniasis.

Contraindications

None recorded.

Dosage

Pentamidine's dosage details are as follows:

Dose	Single Dose	Frequency	Route	Instructions
Adult Dosage
4 mg/kg	4 mg/kg	Every 24h	IM	For 14 to 21 days
4 mg/kg	4 mg/kg	Every 24h	IV Inf	For 14 to 21 days
Paediatric Dosage (20kg)
4 mg/kg	4 mg/kg	Every 24h	Intra Muscular	For 14 to 21 days
4 mg/kg	4 mg/kg	Every 24h	IV Infusion	For 14 to 21 days
Neonatal Dosage (3kg)
4 mg/kg	4 mg/kg	Every 24h	Intra Muscular	For 14 to 21 days
4 mg/kg	4 mg/kg	Every 24h	IV Infusion	For 14 to 21 days

Drug Interactions

Unknown5 interactions

4 interactions

Major3 interactions

Moderate2 interactions

Always consult your physician for the change of dose regimen or an alternative drug of choice that may strictly be required.

Side Effects

Pentamidine in overdosage may give rise to further complications which include Nephrotoxicity , Renal impairment , Pneumothorax , Hypoglycemia.

Pentamidine produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Bradycardia , Hypoglycemia , Hypotension, Hypoglycemia, Cardiac Arrest , Cardiotoxicity , Myoglobinuria . Careful monitoring is needed with proper medical management.

Pentamidine is known to cause more or less tolerable side effects which are usually transient. These include Dizziness, Flushing, Hypotension , Maculopapular rash, Nausea, Pruritus , Syncope .

Warnings / Precautions

Pentamidine should be used with caution in patients with asthma, allergies, high or low blood pressure, diabetes, high or low blood sugar, anemia or heart, kidney or liver disease, on a sodium- (salt-) restricted diet, low sugar (diabetic) diet or other restricted diet. It should be used with caution during pregnancy or lactation.

Interference in Pathology

Pentamidine may interfere in the diagnosis of Increased Values for LFTs .

Available Brands

None recorded.

Storage Conditions

Pentamidine should be stored Inhalation Soln (freshly prepared). Inj (reconstituted soln).

Drug Classification

1.6.4.2 — Antileishmanial drugs
2.6.4.4 — Antitrypanosomal drugs
3.6.4.5 — Antipneumocystosis and antitoxoplasmosis drugs