Pentamidine injection
Pentamidine injection
What is this medicine?
PENTAMIDINE (pen TAM i deen) is an anti-infective drug. It is used to treat Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP).
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is for injection into a muscle or infusion into a vein. It is usually given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 4 months old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
breathing problems
changes in appetite
changes in vision
chest pain
fast, irregular heartbeat
feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
fever, chills
low blood pressure
pain at site where injected
redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
stomach pain, vomiting
trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusually weak or tired
yellowing of the eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
diarrhea
headache
metal taste
muscle pain
nausea
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
amoxapine
arsenic trioxide
certain antibiotics like clarithromycin, erythromycin, gatifloxacin, gemifloxacin, grepafloxacin, moxifloxacin, sparfloxacin
cidofovir
cisapride
droperidol
haloperidol
levomethadyl
maprotiline
medicines for malaria like chloroquine and halofantrine
medicines to control heart rhythm
methadone
phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
pimozide
ranolazine
tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline, imipramine, nortriptyline, and others
zalcitabine, ddC
ziprasidone
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
abarelix
alfuzosin
certain antibiotics like gentamicin, levofloxacin, mefloquine, tobramycin, vancomycin
cyclobenzaprine
diuretics
ganciclovir
foscarnet
medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
medicines for diabetes
medicines for nausea like dolasetron, ondansetron, palonosetron
medicines for sleep during surgery
medicine to numb skin
octreotide
some bowel prep medicines
some medicines for cancer
tacrolimus
vardenafil
What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply.
Where should I keep my medicine?
This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
diabetes
heart problems
kidney disease
pancreatitis
an unusual or allergic reaction to pentamidine, other medicines, foods, dyed, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine. Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.
This medicine can change your blood sugar levels. High blood sugar can cause more thirst and more urine passed, loss of appetite, fruity breath odor, and drowsiness. Low blood sugar can cause hunger, pale skin, headache, anxiety, chills or cold sweats, and shakiness. Call your doctor or health care professional if you think you have a problem with your blood sugar level.
Updated:  
July 17, 2018