MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL

Department of Pharmacy

Department of Nursing

Critical Care

Generic Name: Pentamadine
Trade Name: Pentam
Action: Anti-protozoal
Indications: Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
Administration Guidelines:
Usual Dose and Route Daily Dose: 4 mg/kg daily for 14 days

Recommended Maximum Dose: 300 mg per day

given peripherally over a period of at least 60 minutes;   must be infused alone

Standard Concentration: All doses to be added to NS 250 ml
Special Considerations: - Dosage adjustment may be required in renal and hepatic insufficiency

- ID consult required

- Patient should be supine during administration

- Blood pressure should be monitored every 15 minutes during infusion

- Blood glucose and blood pressure should be checked one hour after infusion.

- CBC and plt count should be known prior to therapy

Precautions and Side Effects: - Hypotension

- hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia

- Neutropenia

- Thrombocytopenia

- Elevation of Serum Cr.

 

Rev 9/00