Pentamidine

Pentamidine isethionate is a drug given for prevention and treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, a type of pneumonia often seen in people with HIV infection. PCP pneumonia is more effectively treated with trimethoprim combined with sulfamethoxazole (marketed in fixed combination as Bactrim[?]), but pentamidine is used as a second or third-line treatment if Bactrim treatment cannot be tolerated.

Pentamidine is administered intravenously once a day for 14 to 21 days for treatment, or in an aerosolized form given by nebuliser once monthly for prevention of PCP in those at risk. The medication is also useful in Leishmaniasis and in prophylaxis against sleeping sickness caused by Trypanosoma gambiense[?]. The exact nature of its antiprotozoal[?] action is unknown. Hydration before treatment lessens the incidence and severity of side effects, which include liver or kidney dysfunction, hypertension, hypotension, hypoglycemia, hypocalemia, leukopenia, thrombcytopenia, anemia, and allergic reaction. It is generally well-tolerated.