Pentamidine



NebuPent®; Pentam-300®







Pentamidine

(pen TAM i deen)

U.S. Brand Names
NebuPent®; Pentam-300®
Pharmacologic Category
Antibiotic, Miscellaneous
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to pentamidine or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you are pregnant and near term.
  • If you are breast-feeding.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to prevent or treat infections caused by Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.
How does it work?
  • Pentamidine works to injure the organisms and fight the infection.
How is it best taken?
  • All forms:
  • To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
  • Use prescription as directed, even if feeling better.
  • Inhalation:
  • Follow directions given by healthcare provider. Do not use more than the maximum recommended daily dose.
  • For inhaling (puffing) only by an inhaler or as a liquid (solution) through a special machine (nebulizer) into the lungs.
  • Injection:
  • This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or vein.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
  • Injection:
  • Call healthcare provider for appointment.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • If you have asthma, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have diabetes, talk with healthcare provider. Diabetic medicines may need adjustment.
  • If you have high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have low blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you are diabetic and have low blood sugar, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If your white blood cell, red blood cell, or platelet counts are low, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • If you are taking any heart medicines like quinidine, procainamide, disopyramide, mexiletine, moricizine, tocainide, flecainide, propafenone, amiodarone, or sotalol, talk with healthcare provider before taking this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Risk of infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.
  • Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.
  • Headache.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Abnormal taste.
  • Feeling tired or weak.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Flushing.
  • Low blood sugar. Signs include anger, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating. Keep hard candies, liquid glucose, or milk on hand for low blood sugar.
  • Anemia, low white blood cell count, and low platelet count.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
  • Chest pain or pressure or fast heartbeat.
  • Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.
  • Severe dizziness or passing out.
  • Very low blood sugar or very high blood sugar.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store at room temperature.
  • Protect from light.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
Brand Names: