Pentamidine
Administration
- Type: Antifungal Agent; Antiprotozoal
- Routes of Administration: IM, IV
- Common Trade Names: Pentam
Adult Dosing
- PCP treatment, mod-severe: 4mg/kg IV/IM QD x21 days
- Not 1st-line agent; may consider decreasing dose to 3mg/kg IV/IM QD if toxicities occur
- PCP prophylaxis: 300mg NEB q4wk
- Not 1st-line agent; use injectable product via nebulizer; reconstitute 1 vial with 6 mL sterile water; do not mix with other nebulized meds
- Off label use
Pediatric Dosing
- PCP treatment [for >4 mo]: 4mg/kg IV/IM QD x21 days
- Not 1st-line agent
- Consider decreasing dose to 3mg/kg IV/IM QD if toxicities occur
- Switch to PO regimen to complete course if improvement after 7-10 days
- PCP prophylaxis [>5 yo]: 300mg NEB q4wk
- Not 1st-line agent
- Use injectable product via nebulizer; reconstitute 1 vial with 6 mL sterile water
- Do not mix with other nebulized meds
- Off label use
Special Populations
- Pregnancy Risk Factor C
Renal Dosing
- CrCl <10: give q24-36h
- HD: give 750mg supplement
- PD: no supplement
Hepatic Dosing
- Caution advised with hepatic impairment
Contraindications
- Allergy to class/drug
- congenital long QT syndrome
- electrolyte abnormalities, uncorrected
- caution if QT prolongation
Adverse Reactions
Serious
- extravasation/tissue damage
- hypoglycemia
- hyperglycemia
- diabetes mellitus
- pancreatitis
- nephrotoxicity
Common
- renal dysfunction
- BUN, creatinine elevated
- injection site necrosis
- leukopenia
- transaminitis
Pharmacology
- Half-life: 2-4 weeks
- Metabolism: Liver
- Excretion: Urine
Mechanism of Action
protozocidal - interferes with nuclear metabolism
Comments
See Also
References
<Epocrates, UpToDate>