Health Centres - Pentacarinat Injection
How does it work?
Pentamidine isetionate is an antiprotozoal medicine used in the treatment of a number of protozoal infections. These include Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia (PCP), Leishmaniasis and Trypanosoma infections.
What is it used for?
- Sleeping sickness (trypanosoma infection)
- Treatment and prevention of pneumonia caused by pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), often seen in people with decreased immune system function
- Treatment of an infectious tropical disease transmitted by sandflies (visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis)
Warning!
- Blood sugar levels should be checked regularly when taking this medicine.
- You should have regular blood tests to monitor your liver function while taking this medicine.
- Blood calcium levels and kidney function must be monitored whilst taking this medicine.
- Regular electrocardiograms (ECGs) to monitor the function of the heart during treatment is recommended.
- Individuals taking this medicine should be monitored for changes in blood pressure.
- Individuals taking this medicine are advised to monitor blood cell counts regularly.
Use with caution in
-
Anaemia
- Decreased kidney function
- Decreased liver function (hepatic dysfunction)
-
High blood pressure
-
High blood sugar levels
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
-
Low blood sugar levels
- Low white blood cell count (leucopenia)
-
Reduced platelet count in the blood
Not to be used in
- No known conditions
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- This medicine should not be used in pregnancy and breastfeeding, unless considered essential by the doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Rash
- Blood disorders
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Low blood calcium level (hypocalcaemia)
- Irritation in area of use
- High blood potassium level (hyperkalaemia)
- Changes in blood sugar levels
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Alteration in taste
- Kidney failure
- Disturbances of liver function
- Fainting (syncope)
- Abnormal heart beats (arrhythmias)
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
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