Pentamidine is primarily used to treat pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis jiroveci or Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is the most common infection among people with AIDS. Pentamidine can also be used to treat severe infections (such as African trypanosomiasis and visceral leishmaniasis) that are resistant to other medications.
What is Pentamidine?
Pentamidine is a pesticide that acts according to mechanisms not yet clarified.
How should Pentamidine be taken?
Pentamidine is typically administered via injections. Sometimes, however, it is taken through inhalation in powder form.
Side effects associated with Pentamidine
Pentamidine may cause hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. Among the other side effects of Pentamidine include the following:
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Cough
- Loss in appetite
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Night sweats
- Sinusitis
It is important to contact a doctor immediately if you experience:
- Rash
- Urticaria
- Itch
- Difficulty breathing
- Tightness in the chest
- Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue
- Blurry view
- Chest pains
- Dark urine
- irregular or accelerated heartbeat
- Fever , chills or sore throat
- Herpes infections
- Increased or decreased urination
- Pain, swelling or redness at the injection site
- Extreme thirst
- Changes in mood or behavior
- Weakness in one side of the body
- Chest discomfort
- Skin redness, swelling, or desquamation
- Convulsions
- Severe or persistent dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty speaking
- Stomach ache
- Bleeding or bruising
- Fatigue or weakness
- Wheezing
- White patches in the mouth or throat
- Jaundice
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Pentamidine
Pentamidine may impair the ability to drive or operate hazardous machinery, especially if taken with alcohol or certain medicines.
Before starting treatment with pentamidine, it is important to tell your doctor if:
- You have any allergies to the active substance, its excipients or any other drugs or food
- You are taking any other medications, herbal remedies or supplements. Mentioning in particular: cisapride, dofetilide, antihistamines, ibutilide, sparfloxacin, zalcitabine, ziprasidone, arsenic injection, macrolides and drugs that can damage the kidneys (including NSAIDs)
- You are suffering (or have suffered) from diabetes , blood sugar problems, dehydration, lung problems, breathing difficulties, heart disease, high blood pressure, blood disorders, low blood calcium levels, kidney problems, liver or pancreas disorders, pneumocystis pneumonia or Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- You are a smoker
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
