Pentam 300 (pentamidine isethionate)
Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
Overview
Pentamidine isethionate, an aromatic diamidine derivative, is an antiprotozoal and antifungal agent.
USES: Pentamidine is used to treat a serious lung infection (Pneumocystis pneumonia-PCP) in people with immune system problems, including people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Pentamidine belongs to a class of drugs known as antiprotozoals. It works by killing the organism that causes the infection.
Generic name: pentamidine isethionate
Pronunciation: (pen-TAM-ih-deen eye-seh-THIGH-oh-nate)
Reference product & biosimilars
No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.
Today’s intelligence on Pentam 300
Indications
The following indications are listed for Pentam 300:
- Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia
Also known as: Pneumocystis Jirovecii (Carinii) Pneumonia, Pneumocystis Pneumonia, Pneumocystosis Jirovecii Pneumonia, Pulmonary Pneumocystosis.
Dosing
The manufacturer of parenteral pentamidine isethionate states that efficacy and safety of alternative dosage regimens have not been established in patients with impaired renal or hepatic function, and the drug should be used with caution in such patients. (See Precautions Related to Parenteral Pentamidine under Cautions: Precautions and Contraindications.)
When IV pentamidine isethionate is used for treatment of PCP in HIV-infected adults and adolescents with renal impairment, some experts recommend that those with creatinine clearances of 10-50 mL/minute receive a dosage of 3 mg/kg once every 24 hours and that those with creatinine clearances less than 10 mL/minute receive 4 mg/kg once every 48 hours.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
Drug interactions
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.
There are no severe interactions for this drug.
There are no moderate interactions for this drug.
Contraindications
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
There are no contraindication contraindications for this drug.
There are no severe contraindications for this drug.
There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.
Adverse reactions
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
There are no severe adverse reactions for this drug.
There are no less severe adverse reactions for this drug.
Precautions
No enhanced messaging available.
No enhanced messaging available.
In a study in pregnant rats, IV pentamidine 4 mg/kg daily was embryolethal; teratogenicity was not observed in this study. It is not known whether pentamidine isethionate can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women, and parenteral pentamidine or pentamidine administered by oral inhalation via nebulization should be used during pregnancy only when clearly needed.
For treatment of first-stage (hemolymphatic) trypanosomiasis+ or treatment of leishmaniasis+ in pregnant women, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that parenteral pentamidine should not be used during the first trimester of pregnancy, but may be used after the first trimester.
Although fetal exposure would theoretically not be substantial, some clinicians recommend that pregnant women and possibly those planning to become pregnant (e.g., within 8 weeks of potential exposure) avoid environmental exposure to aerosolized pentamidine. (See Cautions: Environmental Exposure of Health-Care Personnel and Visitors.)
It is not known whether pentamidine isethionate is distributed into milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions to pentamidine isethionate in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the woman. The manufacturers state that pentamidine isethionate should not be administered parenterally or by oral inhalation via nebulization in nursing mothers unless potential benefits outweigh potential risks.
No enhanced messaging available.
ICD codes
No ICD codes are available for this drug.
Formulary status
Search health-plan coverage for this drug by ZIP code.
Choose the first character of a health plan name.
Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
On this page
Actions
Sign in to save favorites
Saving this drug requires a free Physicians Office Resource account.