This medication is not funded by BC Transplant. This medication is available for inhalation via a nebulizer as well as intravenous injection.
Pentamidine is used to prevent and treat a particular type of pneumonia known as PCP or PJP. Patients with a suppressed immune system are more susceptible to this infection. Nebulized (vaporized) pentamidine is used when a person has a sulfa allergy or has experienced side effects to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim.
Pentamidine is administered in the hospital setting, in a designated room within the Pulmonary Function Lab.
Pentamidine inhalation is administered once monthly. Treatment duration will be determined by your doctor.
You will be given another inhaled medication (salbutamol) before the pentamidine to reduce this.
This is temporary, and wears off after a couple of days.
Breathe slowly; stop inhalation therapy if needed.
Use throat lozenges or cough syrup if symptoms are very bothersome.
Rinse mouth immediately after the nebulized treatment. If it occurs during treatment, you may stop the inhalation and take a drink of water.
