Pentamidine Inhalation (patient information)

Why this medication is prescribed
Pentamidine is an anti-infective agent that helps to treat or prevent pneumonia caused by the organism Pneumocystis carinii.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How this medication should be used
Pentamidine comes as a solution to be inhaled using a nebulizer. It usually is used once every 4 weeks. Inhalation of pentamidine delivers the drug directly to your lungs. Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will show you how to use the nebulizer. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take pentamidine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Special precautions
Before taking pentamidine:


 * tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to pentamidine or any other drugs.
 * tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking or have recently taken, especially antibiotics, amphotericin B (Fungizone), cisplatin (Platinol), foscarnet (Foscavir), and vitamins.
 * tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma; hay fever; high or low blood pressure; diabetes; high or low blood sugar; anemia; severe skin allergic reaction; or heart, kidney, liver, or pancreatic disease.
 * tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking pentamidine, call your doctor.

What to do if you forget a dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Minor Side Effects
Pentamidine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:


 * fatigue
 * metallic taste
 * cough
 * dizziness
 * burning sensation in your throat
 * decreased appetite
 * lightheadedness or faintness
 * itching
 * upset stomach
 * vomiting
 * night sweats or chills

Severe Side Effects
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:


 * chest pain
 * abnormal heartbeat
 * shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
 * skin rash
 * confusion
 * slurred speech

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Storage conditions needed for this medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Other information
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to pentamidine.

You may develop a cough while using aerosol pentamidine. The cough may be more severe if you smoke or have a history of asthma. If you experience cough or difficulty breathing, call your doctor. Your doctor may suggest slowing the aerosol stream or may prescribe a bronchodilator (medication that opens the airways) to use before your pentamidine inhalation.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Brand names

 * NebuPent®
 * Pentacarinat®
 * Pentam® 300