Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; NebuPent, Pentam
- Antipneumocystis Agents
Description
Oral inhalation/IM/IV antifungal agent
Used for Pneumocystis jiroveci (Pneumocystis carinii) pneumonia treatment and prophylaxis
Parenteral administration is associated with several major ADRs
Indications
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
Adverse Effects
Injection
Increased SCr (23%)
IM site reactions (11%)
Leukopenia (10.3%)
Nebulizer
Cough (1-63%)
Wheezing (32%)
Fever (51%)
Decreased appetite (50%)
Bronchospasm (48%)
Fatigue (66%)
Infection (15%)
Warnings
Hypotension, QT prolongation, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome reported with use
Use caution in patients with history of pancreatitis, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, hepatic/renal dysfunction
Risk of nephrotoxicity with parenteral administration
Risk of sudden, severe hypotension with parentera administration-keep patient supine
Pregnancy and Lactation
Pregnancy Category: C
There are no adequate and well controlled studies of aerosolized pentamidine in pregnant women; a literature report indicated that pentamidine 4 mg/kg/day IV administered to pregnant rats was embryolethal; teratogenicity was not observed in this study. It is unknown whether aerosolized pentamidine crosses the placenta at clinically significant concentrations
Lactation: Not known if distributed in breast milk, discontinue drug or do not nurse
Maximum Dosage
4 mg/kg IM or IV daily; 300 mg nebulized once every 4 weeks.
4 mg/kg IM or IV daily; 300 mg nebulized once every 4 weeks.
>= 17 years: 4 mg/kg IM or IV daily; 300 mg nebulized once every 4 weeks.
< 17 years: 4 mg/kg IM or IV daily; safety and efficacy of nebulized solution not established, but 300 mg nebulized once every 4 weeks has been recommended.
>= 5 years: 4 mg/kg IM or IV daily; safety and efficacy of nebulized solution not established, but 300 mg nebulized once every 4 weeks has been recommended..
< 5 years: 4 mg/kg IM or IV daily; safety and efficacy of nebulized solution not established.
> 4 months: 4 mg/kg IM or IV daily; safety and efficacy of nebulized solution not established.
<= 4 months: Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
How supplied
Pentamidine isethionate
powder for injection
- 300mg
powder for nebulizer solution
- 300mg