PENTAMIDINE What should you do if you short of breath), neutropenia (a FORGET a dose? reduced number of white blood cells that help you fight infections), Other NAMES: Pentacarinat If you miss doses of inhaled thrombocytopenia (reduced number of pentamidine, you are increasing your risk platelets that can increase your risk of WHY is this drug prescribed? of catching PCP. If you have missed an bleeding or developing bruises), rapid appointment, call your clinic immediately and irregular heartbeat, liver, kidney and Pentamidine is used in the prevention to rebook an appointment to receive your pancreas problems. Because of the and treatment of pneumocystis carinii pentamidine dose as soon as possible. effect of pentamidine on the pancreas, pneumonia (PCP). It is also used as an decreases or increases in your blood antiparasitic agent for the treatment of What ADVERSE EFFECTS can this sugar level may occur. Blood tests parasites. Pentamidine is used when a drug cause? What should you do must be done regularly to watch for the person has experienced adverse effects about them? presence of these adverse effects. or toxicity to other drugs, such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP- Inhalation of pentamidine can cause you When given by the intramuscular route, SMX, Bactrim , Septra ) or dapsone. to cough , especially if you smoke or pain and tenderness at the site of have asthma. This can be controlled by injection may occur. HOW should this drug be taken? another drug called a bronchodilator [eg. salbutamol (Ventolin )]. This will If you are experiencing any adverse For the prevention of PCP, pentamidine help you breathe more easily. effects, please discuss them with your is given by inhalation. This involves Pentamidine does not taste very good. doctor, nurse or pharmacist. breathing in the drug through a device You may experience a bitter or metallic called a nebulizer. The nebulizer taste ; sucking on sugar-free candy It is important that you keep your converts the drug into a mist that then afterwards may help. During your doctor appointments and come for coats your lungs. The usual dose for treatment, you may have a burning your laboratory tests so that your inhalation is 300 mg given once every 4 feeling in your throat . Drinking some progress can be followed. weeks on a regular basis. The exact liquid will help. Dizziness, nausea, procedure for inhalation will be vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, fever, What other PRECAUTIONS should explained to you at the clinic when you chills, night sweats, chest pain and a you follow while using this drug? go to receive your dose. skin rash may also occur. Before starting pentamidine, please For the treatment of PCP, pentamidine I.V. pentamidine can have serious inform your doctor if you are allergic to can be given intravenously (I.V.) over a adverse effects. Low blood pressure this drug or if you have a history of 2 to 3 hour period, or intramuscularly may occur and this is why the drug will kidney, liver, pancreas, heart or blood (I.M.). Pentamidine is given once a day be given to you while you are lying problems. for 14 to 21 days. The dose is down. Pentamidine can also cause determined by your weight and may anemia (reduced number of red blood The safety of pentamidine has not been need to be adjusted if you have kidney cells that can make you feel tired or established during pregnancy and problems. breastfeeding. Please discuss this with The following pharmacist is available to your doctor if this is a concern. In answer questions: general, breastfeeding is NOT recommended if you have HIV as you Pharmacist: __________________ can transmit the virus to your baby PENTAMIDINE through your breast milk. Telephone: __________________ Pentamidine may interfere with other drugs. Also, drugs that are toxic to the kidneys, liver, pancreas and to the blood may increase pentamidine’s adverse effects. Inform your doctor and pharmacist of all prescribed and non- MEDICATION prescribed drugs you are taking. As well, you should inform them of natural products you are taking. If you wish to FACT SHEET start a new drug or natural product, please consult with your pharmacist before doing so. How should this drug be STORED? Pentamidine should be kept at room temperature (15-30 °C) and protected from light. Once diluted, pentamidine is stable for up to 24 hours at room temperature. Keep this drug well out of the reach of children. If you have any questions or concerns about this drug or if you are experiencing adverse effects, please discuss them with your pharmacist, doctor or nurse. Reference: Pentamidine Product Monograph. Hospira Healthcare Corp., Saint-Laurent, QC, 2007. Prepared by the Ontario HIV Pharmacy Professional Specialty Write questions or concerns down to Group, 2003. Reviewed 2009. ensure they are addressed. Additional medication fact sheets and updates may be found at: www.hivclinic.ca .