pentamidine isethionate, a parenteral antiprotozoal drug. ▪ INDICATIONS: It is prescribed in the treatment and prevention of pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis jiroveci, particularly in patients who have human immunodeficiency syndrome. It can also be used to treat trypanosomiasis and visceral leishmaniasis. ▪ CONTRAINDICATIONS: To reduce the risk of toxicity, the following tests must be carried out before, during, and after therapy: blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, blood glucose, complete blood and platelet counts, liver function, serum calcium, and electrocardiogram. ▪ ADVERSE EFFECTS: Among adverse reactions to the injectable form of pentamidine are hypotension, hypoglycemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, cardiac arrhythmias, acute renal failure, hypocalcemia, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, elevated serum creatinine level, elevated liver function results, pain or induration at the injection site, nausea, anorexia, fever, and rash. Some of these side effects are reduced by an aerosol formulation of pentamidine, but the aerosol causes other adverse effects, including fatigue, dizziness, and dyspnea.
