Pentamidine

Definition

Pentamidine is an antimicrobial drug used primarily to treat certain parasitic and fungal infections. It is often employed when other treatments are ineffective or contraindicated.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Pentamidine is commonly used to treat Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), a serious fungal infection in immunocompromised patients.
2. It acts by interfering with the replication of DNA, RNA, phospholipids, and proteins in pathogens.
3. Pentamidine can be administered via inhalation, intravenously, or intramuscularly depending on the type of infection being treated.
4. Common side effects include low blood pressure, kidney dysfunction, and hypoglycemia.
5. It is also used off-label for treating certain protozoal infections such as Leishmaniasis and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness).

Review Questions

Related terms

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP): A serious fungal infection affecting primarily immunocompromised individuals.

Leishmaniasis:

A parasitic disease caused by protozoa from the genus Leishmania.

African trypanosomiasis:

Also known as sleeping sickness, it is a parasitic disease caused by Trypanosoma brucei.