PENTAMIDINE

Brand & Generic Names

NebuPent
Pentacarinat
Pneumopent

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antiprotozoal

Uses

• Treats pneumocystis carinii, which is common in AIDS patients.
• Treats some tropical diseases such as leishmaniasis, African sleeping sickness and others.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Inhalation--Follow package instructions.

When to take:
According to doctor's instructions.

If you forget a dose:
Not likely to happen.

What drug does:
Interferes with RNA and DNA of infecting organisms.

Time lapse before drug works:
30 minutes to 1 hour.

Don't take with:
Any other medicines (including over-the-counter drugs such as cough and cold medicines, laxatives, antacids, diet pills, caffeine, nose drops or vitamins) without consulting your doctor.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
None expected.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Unconsciousness, Seek emergency treatment rapid pulse, cold sweats. immediately.

Common:

Chest pain or congestion; wheezing; coughing; difficulty in breathing; skin rash; pain, dryness or sensation of lump in throat.

Infrequent:

• Abdomenal or back pain, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, cold sweats, chills, headache, appetite changes, decreased urination, unusual tiredness.
• Bitter or metallic taste.

Rare:

None expected.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You know you are allergic to pentamidine.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have asthma.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons. You may need smaller doses for shorter periods of time.

Pregnancy:
Unknown effects. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
Unknown effects. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Unknown effects. Consult doctor.

Prolonged use:
Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check blood sugar; blood pressure; kidney, liver and heart function; complete blood counts (white blood cell count, platelet count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit); ECG* and serum calcium.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Avoid if you feel confused, drowsy or dizzy.

Discontinuing:
No special problems expected.

Others:

• Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.
• May affect results in some medical tests.
• Avoid exposure to people who have infectious diseases.
• To help decrease bitter taste in mouth, dissolve a hard candy after taking medicine.
• Consult your doctor for additional information about the injectable form of this drug.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-------------------------------
None expected with inhalation	form of drug.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased likelihood of adverse
	reactions. Avoid.
Beverages:	No special problems expected.
Cocaine:	Increased likelihood of adverse
	reactions. Avoid.
Foods:	No special problems expected.
Marijuana:	Increased likelihood of adverse
	reactions. Avoid.
Tobacco:	Increased likelihood of adverse
	reactions. Avoid.