What is this medication for?
Pentamidine is used to prevent pneumonia (lung infection) caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii (a type of fungus), especially in people with weakened immune systems due to medical conditions or immunosuppressive medications.
How should I take or use this medication?
Pentamidine is inhaled into the lungs through a special machine (nebulizer).
What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?
Please contact your healthcare provider to re-schedule your appointment for pentamidine administration.
What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?
Inform your healthcare professional if:
- You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
- You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding:
- You have asthma, pancreatitis (inflammation of pancreas)
- You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
What are some common side effects of this medication?
- Cough, shortness of breath
- Your doctor may prescribe an inhaled medication to open up the airways to be administered prior to each dose
- Decreased appetite
- Bad taste in mouth
- Feeling dizzy and tired
What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
- Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
- Difficulty in breathing
- Itchy skin rashes over your whole body
Some of these rare side effects include:
- Liver problem: Signs include dark urine or light coloured stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellowing of your eyes or skin
- Kidney problem: unable to pass urine
- if you have signs of high or low blood sugar like breath that smells like fruit, dizziness, fast breathing, fast heartbeat, feeling confused, feeling weak, flushing, headache, unusual thirst or hunger, passing urine more often, shaking, or sweating
- Low calcium : Muscle cramps or spasms, numbness and tingling, or seizures.
- Chest pain, fast heartbeat
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should inform your healthcare professional immediately.
How should I store this medication?
Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.
How do I throw away this medication safely?
Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing it into the rubbish chute or bin.
Contributed By
- Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore