Pentamidine Oral Inhalation

Pentamidine is an anti-infective agent that helps to treat or prevent pneumonia caused by the organism Pneumocystis jiroveci (carinii).

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Pentamidine comes as a solution to be inhaled using a nebulizer. It usually is used once every 4 weeks. Inhalation of pentamidine delivers the drug directly to your lungs. Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will show you how to use the nebulizer. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take pentamidine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Before taking pentamidine,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to pentamidine or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while using pentamidine. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects..
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma; hay fever; high or low blood pressure; diabetes; high or low blood sugar; anemia; severe skin allergic reaction; or heart, kidney, liver, or pancreatic disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking pentamidine, call your doctor.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Pentamidine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• fatigue
• metallic taste
• cough
• dizziness
• burning sensation in your throat
• decreased appetite
• lightheadedness or faintness
• itching
• upset stomach
• vomiting
• night sweats or chills

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• chest pain
• abnormal heartbeat
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• skin rash
• confusion
• slurred speech

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to pentamidine.

You may develop a cough while using aerosol pentamidine. The cough may be more severe if you smoke or have a history of asthma. If you experience cough or difficulty breathing, call your doctor. Your doctor may suggest slowing the aerosol stream or may prescribe a bronchodilator (medication that opens the airways) to use before your pentamidine inhalation.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

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