Pentamidine is an antimicrobial medication used to treat African trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, Balamuthia infections,[2] babesiosis, and to prevent and treat pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in people with poor immune function.[1] In African trypanosomiasis it is used for early disease before central nervous system involvement, as a second line option to suramin.[1] It is an option for both visceral leishmaniasis and cutaneous leishmaniasis.[1] Pentamidine can be given by injection into a vein or muscle or by inhalation.[1]
Common side effects of the injectable form include low blood sugar, pain at the site of injection, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, and kidney problems.[1]Common side effects of the inhaled form include wheezing, cough, and nausea.[1] It is unclear if doses should be changed in those with kidney or liver problems.[1] Pentamidine is not recommended in early pregnancy but may be used in later pregnancy.[1] Its safety during breastfeeding is unclear.[3]Pentamidine is in the aromatic diamidine family of medications.[4] While the way the medication works is not entirely clear, it is believed to involve decreasing the production of DNA, RNA, and protein.[1]
Pentamidine came into medical use in 1937.[5] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the safest and most effective medicines needed in a health system.[6] It is available as a generic medication.[1]In regions of the world where the disease is common pentamidine is provided for free by the World Health Organization (WHO).[7] In the United States as of 2016 the inhalation powder costs US$122.84 and a vial for injection costs US$45.31 a dose.[8] Since it was found useful for PCP pneumonia the price has been increased greater than ten times.[5]
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| Clinical data | |
|---|---|
| Trade names | Nebupent, Pentam, others[1] |
| Other names | pentamidine diisethionate, pentamidine dimesilate |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| Routes of administration | IV, IM, inhalation |
| ATC code | |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentamidine
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