Pentostam

How does it work?

Pentostam injection contains the active ingredient sodium stibogluconate, which is a antimony compound used specifically in the treatment of a protazoal infection called leishmaniasis.

Protozoa are tiny living organisms that can cause infection inside the body. Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by protozoa that can be caught in certain tropical and temperate regions from the bites of sandflies. There are three main types of the disease, one that affects the internal organs in the body (visceral leishmaniasis or kala azar), one that affects the skin (cutaneous leishmaniasis) and one that affects that mucous membranes of the nose, mouth and throat (mucocutaneous leishmaniasis).

The way that sodium stibogluconate works in leishmaniasis is unknown, although there is some suggestion that it interferes with the parasites production of energy and genetic material (DNA).

The medicine is given by injection into a muscle (intramuscularly) or into a vein (intravenously).

What is it used for?

Treatment of various types of a protozoal infection called leishmaniasis, which may result from sandfly bites in tropical and temperate parts of the world (eg Central and South America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Southern Europe)

Warning!

Intravenous injection must be given slowly over 5 minutes. The injection should be stopped if coughing, vomiting, or pain beneath the breastbone occurs.

It is recommended that a heart monitoring trace (ECG) is used to monitor the heart beat before and during treatment with this medicine. Treatment should be stopped if abnormal changes in the rhythm of the heart occur on the ECG.

Use with caution in

Disease involving the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular disease)

History of abnormal heart beats (ventricular arrhythmias)

People with an abnormal heart rhythm seen on the heart monitoring trace (ECG) as a 'prolonged QT interval', or people with a family history of this, or people taking other medicines that can could increase the risk of this

People who have recently received other antimonial drugs

Liver disease

Not to be used in

Significantly decreased kidney function

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

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.

The safety of this medicine during pregnancy has not been established. The manufacturer therefore advises that it should be avoided during pregnancy, unless the potential benefits to the mother outweigh any risks to the developing baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Mothers who need treatment with this medicine should not breastfeed their infants. 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.

Nausea and vomiting

Diarrhoea

Abdominal pain

Loss of appetite

General feeling of being unwell (malaise)

Pain in the muscles or joints

Headache

Tiredness

Coughing following injection

Pain in the vein used for injection

Blood clots (thrombosis) in the vein used for injection

Irregular heart beats (arrhythmias)

Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

Fever

Sweating

Flushing

Worsening of lesions on the cheek

Bleeding from the gums or nose

Jaundice

Rash

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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