| Category of Drug | Pentamidine is an Anti-Infectives |
| Mechanism of Action | |
| Indications | Pentamidine is used for 1. Leishmaniasis 2. African trypanosomiasis 3. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia |
| Well Known Pharmaceutical Brands | |
| Available dosage forms | INJECTION |
| Dose | |
| Contraindications | Severe renal impairment. |
| Precautions | 1. Risk of severe hypotension following administration 2. Monitor blood pressure during administration and treatment period 3. Hypertension 4. Hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia 5. Hepatic impairment 6. Leukopenia 7. Thrombocytopenia 8. Anaemia 9. immunodeficiency-if acute deterioration in bone marrow 10. Renal or pancreatic function 11. Interrupt or discontinue treatment |
| Adverse Effects | 1. Nephrotoxicity 2. Acute hypotension-with dizziness 3. Headache 4. Breathlessness 5. Tachycardia and syncope following rapid intravenous injection 6. Hypoglycaemia- may be followed by hyperglycaemia and type I diabetes mellitus 7. Hallucinations 8. Arrhythmias 9. Thrombocytopenia 10. Leukopenia 11. Abnormal liver function tests |
| Pregnancy Category | C |
