Pentamidine

4,4 '- ( Pentamethylendioxy ) dibenzamidin

P01CX01

Antiprotozoic

Attention

50 mg · kg -1 ( LD50, mouse, ip)

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Pentamidine (trade name Pentacarinat ) is an anti-protozoal agent which is indicated in the treatment of leishmaniasis, also the early stage of the West African trypanosomiasis, and Pneumocystis jirovecii in infections with.

Pentamidine has a number of partly considerable side effects. Very common ( > 10%) are disorders of glucose metabolism, which can lead to diabetes mellitus, also hyperkalemia, renal dysfunction, gastrointestinal disorders, skin rashes, and pain at the injection site. Frequently, among other life-threatening circumstances hypotension. Rarely, but also potentially life threatening is a QT syndrome.

Pentamidine is most commonly used as the isethionate. While it is mainly used parenterally in leishmaniasis and sleeping sickness, in the treatment of Pneumocystis infections in AIDS patients and inhalation is common; with this route of administration, the side effects should be less pronounced. Pentamidine has been developed in the late 1930s in the UK as a means against sleeping sickness.