Formulary
Pentamidine isetionate: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Pentamidine isetionate clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Pentamidine isetionate: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Pentamidine isetionate clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Treatment ofPneumocystis jirovecii(Pneumocystis carinii) pneumonia (specialist use only)**
- **Adult** (By Intravenous Infusion): Treatment of Pneumocystis jirovecii ( Pneumocystis carinii ) pneumonia (specialist use only) 4 mg/kg once daily for at least 14 days.
**Prophylaxis ofPneumocystis jirovecii(Pneumocystis carinii) pneumonia (specialist use only)**
- **Adult** (By Inhalation Of Nebulised Solution): Prophylaxis of Pneumocystis jirovecii ( Pneumocystis carinii ) pneumonia (specialist use only) 300 mg every 4 weeks, use suitable equipment-consult product literature, alternatively 150 mg every 2 weeks, use suitable equipment-consult product literature.
**Visceral leishmaniasis (specialist use only)**
- **Adult** (By Deep Intramuscular Injection): 3-4 mg/kg once daily on alternate days maximum total of 10 injections, course may be repeated if necessary.
**Cutaneous leishmaniasis (specialist use only)**
- **Adult** (By Deep Intramuscular Injection): 3-4 mg/kg 1-2 times a week until condition resolves.
**Trypanosomiasis (specialist use only)**
- **Adult** (By Deep Intramuscular Injection, Or By Intravenous Infusion): 4 mg/kg once daily or on alternate days for a total of 7-10 injections.
**Treatment of Pneumocystis jirovecii (Pneumocystis carinii) pneumonia (specialist use only) for pentamidine isetionate**
- **Child** (By intravenous infusion): 4 mg/kg once daily for at least 7-10 days.
**Prophylaxis of Pneumocystis jirovecii (Pneumocystis carinii) pneumonia (specialist use only) for pentamidine isetionate**
- **Child 5-17 years** (By inhalation of nebulised solution): 300 mg every 4 weeks, use suitable equipment-consult product literature, alternatively 150 mg every 2 weeks, use suitable equipment-consult product literature.
**Visceral leishmaniasis (specialist use only) for pentamidine isetionate**
- **Child 1-17 years** (By deep intramuscular injection): 3-4 mg/kg once daily on alternate days maximum total of 10 injections, course may be repeated if necessary.
**Cutaneous leishmaniasis (specialist use only) for pentamidine isetionate**
- **Child 1-17 years** (By deep intramuscular injection): 3-4 mg/kg 1-2 times a week until condition resolves.
**Trypanosomiasis (specialist use only) for pentamidine isetionate**
- **Child 1-17 years** (By deep intramuscular injection, or by intravenous infusion): 4 mg/kg once daily or on alternate days for a total of 7-10 injections.
Cautions
Anaemia; bradycardia; cardiac disease; history of ventricular arrhythmias; hyperglycaemia; hypertension; hypoglycaemia; hypokalaemia; hypomagnesaemia; hypotension; leucopenia; risk of severe hypotension following administration; thrombocytopenia
Side effects
General side-effects: Common or very common Dizziness; hypoglycaemia (can be severe and sometimes fatal); hypotension (can be severe and sometimes fatal); local reaction; nausea; rash; taste altered Rare or very rare QT interval prolongation Frequency not known Pancreatitis acute (can be severe and sometimes fatal) Specific side-effects: Common or very common When used by inhalation Cough; dyspnoea; respiratory disorders With parenteral use Acute kidney injury; anaemia; azotaemia; electrolyte imbalance; flushing; haematuria; hyperglycaemia; induration; leucopenia; localised pain; myopathy; syncope; thrombocytopenia; vomiting Rare or very rare With parenteral use Arrhythmia (can be severe and sometimes fatal); pancreatitis (can be severe and sometimes fatal) Frequency not known When used by inhalation Angioedema; appetite decreased; bradycardia; fatigue; renal failure With parenteral use Arrhythmias; perioral hypoaesthesia; sensation abnormal; Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Interactions
**Other interactions (1):**
- Caution is advised with the simultaneous administration of preparations that prolong the QT interval, such as phenothiazine, tricyclic antidepressants, terfenadine, astemizole, intravenous...
Pregnancy
Manufacturer advises avoid unless essential.
Breast feeding
Manufacturer advises avoid unless essential-no information available.
Hepatic impairment
Manufacturer advises caution.
Renal impairment
Use with caution. M Dose adjustments Reduce intravenous dose for pneumocystis pneumonia if creatinine clearance less than 10 mL/minute: in life-threatening infection , use 4 mg/kg once daily for 7-10 days, then 4 mg/kg on alternate days to complete course of at least 14 doses; in less severe infection , use 4 mg/kg on alternate days for at least 14 doses. M See Prescribing in renal impairment .
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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