Pentamidine

What is pentamidine?

Pentamidine is a drug which is used to treat or prevent Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia. This is a very serious type of lung infection which can occur in people whose immune systems are not working normally.

You may hear pentamidine called by its brand name, Pentacarinat. Pentamidine comes in an injection or inhalation form.

Before giving pentamidine to your child

Tell your doctor if your child has ever reacted badly to pentamidine or any component in the inhalation or injection.

Talk with your child's doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. Precautions may need to be taken with this medicine if your child has:

• liver or kidney problems
• diabetes
• high or low blood pressure
• asthma

How to give pentamidine to your child

Pentamidine can be inhaled into the lungs or injected into your child's vein (intravenously or IV). Usually your child will get this medicine in the hospital clinic or on a nursing unit.

Possible side effects of pentamidine

Your child may have some of these side effects while they take pentamidine. Check with your child's doctor if your child continues to have any of these side effects, if they do not go away, or if they bother your child:

• loss of appetite
• watery bowel movements
• an upset stomach or vomiting (throwing up)
• extra saliva in the mouth
• metallic taste in the mouth

Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to Emergency if your child has any of these side effects:

• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unexplained fever or chills
• a lasting sore throat or hoarseness
• a sensation of a lump in the throat or trouble swallowing
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• any change in heart beat such as faster, slower, or uneven heartbeats
• a rash or itchy skin
• changes in appetite or thirst
• changes in frequency of urination, such as having to go more or less often
• severe chest or back pain
• shakiness, dizziness
• nervousness
• severe abdominal pain
• cough, shortness of breath, or wheezing

Safety measures to take when your child is using pentamidine

Pentamidine may leave an unpleasant, metallic taste in the mouth, especially when it is given by inhalation. Chewing sugarless gum, or sucking sugarless candy after treatment with pentamidine may help.

Pentamidine can cause blood pressure to drop suddenly right after a dose. For this reason, your child should rise slowly from a lying or sitting position after receiving it to prevent dizziness or light-headedness.

If your child has diabetes, pentamidine may make your child's blood sugar more difficult to control.

Pentamidine may interact with other medicines. Before giving your child any other medicines, including non-prescription products, or treatments, tell your child's doctor or pharmacist that your child is taking pentamidine.

After your child stops receiving pentamidine, it may still cause side effects for up to several months. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following signs occur even after pentamidine treatment has stopped:

• increased thirst
• increased need to urinate
• shakiness
• dizziness
• nervousness
• fruit-like smelling breath

Other important information to know about pentamidine

• Keep a list of all medicines your child is taking to show the doctor or pharmacist. Check with your child's doctor or pharmacist before you give your child any other medicine, even medicine you can buy without a doctor's order (prescription).
• Do not share your child's medicine with others. Do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.
• Make sure you always have enough pentamidine on hand in case your child needs it. Call your pharmacy at least 2 days before your child runs out of medicine to order refills.
• Keep inhaled pentamidine at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Do NOT store it in the bathroom or kitchen.
• Do not keep any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines.
  

Keep pentamidine out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much pentamidine, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.