Side Effects of pentamidine injection: A Synthesis of Findings from 19 Studies

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Original Abstract of the Article

Major Research Findings

Pentamidine is an effective drug for treating antimony-resistant kala-azar, a parasitic infection. 3 It has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of the early stages of African sleeping sickness. 13 It has also been found to be effective in treating cutaneous leishmaniasis, a parasitic skin disease, with the optimal regimen being 3mg/kg every other day for four injections. 1 However, it's crucial to note that pentamidine is a toxic drug with several side effects.

Reasons for Side Effects

The side effects of pentamidine are related to its mechanism of action and the method of administration. Pentamidine works by interfering with the parasite's mitochondrial function, but since mitochondria are also found in human cells, it can also affect human cells. Additionally, pentamidine is typically administered intravenously or intramuscularly, leading to potential side effects like inflammation or pain at the injection site.

Common Side Effects

Injection Site Reactions

Intravenous or intramuscular injection of pentamidine can cause inflammation and pain at the injection site. 3 15 12

Gastrointestinal Issues

Side effects related to the digestive system can occur, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. 3 18 5

Blood Sugar Abnormalities

Pentamidine can disrupt blood sugar levels, leading to hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). 3 5

Kidney Problems

Kidney dysfunction can arise, with symptoms like decreased urine output and protein in the urine. 10 5

Cardiovascular Issues

Pentamidine can affect the cardiovascular system, leading to a decrease in heart rate or blood pressure. 2

Other

Other side effects include skin rashes, allergic reactions, and liver dysfunction. 3 17 8 In severe cases, death has been reported in patients receiving pentamidine. 3

Side Effect Countermeasures

Injection Site Reactions

To lessen inflammation and pain at the injection site, applying a cold compress before receiving pentamidine can be helpful. 3 Pain relievers can also be taken as needed.

Gastrointestinal Issues

If you experience nausea or vomiting, it's recommended to avoid eating before taking pentamidine. 18 If you have abdominal pain or diarrhea, antidiarrheal medications may be useful.

Blood Sugar Abnormalities

If you have hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, consult your doctor before taking pentamidine. 3 Regular blood sugar monitoring is also essential.

Kidney Problems

If you have kidney problems, it's crucial to discuss this with your doctor before taking pentamidine. 10 Regularly monitoring your urine output and protein levels is important.

Cardiovascular Issues

If you have a decreased heart rate or decreased blood pressure, consult your doctor before taking pentamidine. 2

Comparison Between Studies

Similarities in Studies

Many studies show that pentamidine is effective for treating parasitic infections like antimony-resistant kala-azar, African sleeping sickness, and cutaneous leishmaniasis. Common side effects reported across studies include gastrointestinal problems, blood sugar irregularities, and kidney issues.

Differences in Studies

The specific effectiveness and frequency of side effects with pentamidine can vary between studies. For instance, 3 reports four deaths related to pentamidine administration, while other studies don't mention fatalities. finds pentamidine effective for cutaneous leishmaniasis, whereas 4 indicates it was ineffective. These differences likely arise from factors like the patient groups studied, research design, and administration methods.

Points to Note Regarding Application in Real Life

Pentamidine is a useful treatment for parasitic infections but is a toxic drug with significant side effects. If you are prescribed pentamidine, strictly follow your doctor's instructions and report any side effects immediately.

Limitations of Current Research

Further research on pentamidine is needed, especially concerning long-term side effects. Developing new treatments that enhance its effectiveness while mitigating side effects is also a key area for future research.

Future Research Directions

Research on pentamidine should focus on:

  • Investigating the long-term side effects of pentamidine.
  • Developing new treatments that enhance its effectiveness and minimize side effects.
  • Understanding the mechanisms of resistance to pentamidine.

Conclusion

Pentamidine is an effective treatment for parasitic infections, but it's a toxic drug with numerous side effects. If you are taking pentamidine, follow your doctor's instructions closely and report any side effects promptly. Further research is necessary to understand the long-term effects of pentamidine and to explore alternative treatment options that offer improved efficacy and safety.

Literature analysis of 19 papers
Positive Content
14
Neutral Content
4
Negative Content
1
Article Type
4
0
0
5
19
1.

Successful treatment of Colombian cutaneous leishmaniasis with four injections of pentamidine.

Author: SotoJ, BuffetP, GroglM, BermanJ

Leishmaniasis Treatment
Hypoglycemia
Hypotension

Pentamidine isethionate is a drug used to treat leishmaniasis. A study of 38 patients with Colombian cutaneous leishmaniasis found that a short course of pentamidine isethionate (3 mg/kg every other day for 4 injections) was effective in treating the disease. However, the drug can cause side effects.

Clinical TrialA clinical trial is a planned study conducted on humans to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and treatment methods. It aims to explore the possibilities of new treatments and improve the health of patients.
Controlled Clinical TrialA clinical trial that evaluates the effectiveness of a treatment by comparing a group that receives the intervention with a group that receives a placebo or standard treatment.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.

Language : English

2.

[Sinus bradycardia secondary to systemic pentamidine].

Author: Izquierdo PatrónM, LafuenteC, Haro EstarriolM, Arévalo GonzálezM

Sinus bradycardia

A new adverse effect associated with intravenous pentamidine therapy, sinus bradycardia, was reported in a patient who is not HIV-infected.

Case ReportsIn the medical field, a report that describes in detail a unique case, an unusual medical condition, or the effect of a treatment. Provides new insights and possibilities for treatment through individual patient cases.
English AbstractA summary of a research paper/publication written in English for a wider audience.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
ReviewAn article that critically examines existing research on a particular topic and summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field.

Language : Spanish

3.

Comparison of regimes of treatment of antimony-resistant kala-azar patients: a randomized study.

Author: ThakurC P, KumarM, PandeyA K

Effective for kala-azar
Parasitologic cure
Death
Hyperglycemia
Hypoglycemia
Toxic effects

Pentamidine was effective but toxic in treating antimony-resistant kala-azar, achieving parasitologic cure in approximately 98% of patients after 33 or more injections.

Clinical TrialA clinical trial is a planned study conducted on humans to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and treatment methods. It aims to explore the possibilities of new treatments and improve the health of patients.
Comparative StudyResearch that compares multiple groups/interventions to determine differences/similarities in outcomes/characteristics.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

4.

Localized cutaneous leishmaniasis imported into Paris: a review of 39 cases.

Author: El HajjLise, ThellierMarc, CarrièreJean, BricaireFrançois, DanisMartin, CaumesEric

LCL treatment
Side effects

Imported cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) is a common skin infection in travelers returning from tropical countries. 39 cases of imported LCL were studied, with 35 cases in French travelers and 4 cases in foreign immigrants. 15 cases were acquired in the Old World and 24 in the New World. 38% of the cases were initially missed by general practitioners. 71.4% of patients were cured with first-line treatment. Adverse events occurred in 60% of patients treated with antimonials and 37% of those treated with pentamidine.

Comparative StudyResearch that compares multiple groups/interventions to determine differences/similarities in outcomes/characteristics.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
ReviewAn article that critically examines existing research on a particular topic and summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field.

Language : English

6.

Pentamidine, the drug of choice for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Surinam.

Author: Lai A FatEsther J S K, VredeMartinus A, SoetosenojoRamon M, Lai A FatRudy F M

High cure rate
Well-tolerated
Bitter taste
Nausea
Pain at injection site
Respiratory issues

Pentamidine mesylate and isethionate have similar safety, efficacy, and side-effect profiles in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.

Language : English

7.

Treatment perspectives for human African trypanosomiasis.

Author: BouteilleBernard, OukemOdile, BisserSylvie, DumasMichel

Oral pentamidine
Stage 1 treatment
Stage 2 treatment
Difficult administration
Fatal side-effects

Human African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, is a fatal disease with limited therapeutic options. Research and development for new drugs is limited, but efforts are focused on reevaluating older drugs and investigating drug combinations.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
ReviewAn article that critically examines existing research on a particular topic and summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field.

Language : English

8.

Cutaneous ulceration: an unusual complication of intravenous pentamidine therapy.

Author: BologniaJ L

Effective for Pneumocystis carinii infections
Chemical cellulitis and ulceration
Cutaneous side effects

Extravasation of intravenous pentamidine, a medication used to treat Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, led to chemical cellulitis and ulceration in a renal transplant patient. The affected area healed slowly over 7 weeks, but resulted in a loss of cutaneous sensation.

Case ReportsIn the medical field, a report that describes in detail a unique case, an unusual medical condition, or the effect of a treatment. Provides new insights and possibilities for treatment through individual patient cases.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
ReviewAn article that critically examines existing research on a particular topic and summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field.

Language : English

9.

[Adverse reactions to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in AIDS patients].

Author: IrazábalB, CaminoE, Cid de RiveraC, AguirrebengoaK, UrkijoJ C

Effective prophylaxis
Tolerable side effects

Trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) was found to be the ideal prophylactic drug for those who are able to tolerate it. The study involved 32 patients with AIDS and pneumonia by Pneumocystis carinii. Side effects were seen in 75% of the patients treated, with the most important and severe being at a cutaneous level.

English AbstractA summary of a research paper/publication written in English for a wider audience.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.

Language : Spanish

10.

Treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonitis. A comparative trial of sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim v pentamidine in pediatric patients with cancer: report from the Children's Cancer Study Group.

Author: SiegelS E, WolffL J, BaehnerR L, HammondD

Treats pneumonia
Abnormal renal function
Hematologic abnormalities
Hypoglycemia
Local reactions
Skin eruptions

Pentamidine and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim were equally effective in treating Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in 25 pediatric cancer patients. Both treatments resulted in recovery in 96% of patients. Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim had fewer serious side effects, making it the preferred treatment. Pentamidine is an alternative for non-responders.

Clinical TrialA clinical trial is a planned study conducted on humans to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and treatment methods. It aims to explore the possibilities of new treatments and improve the health of patients.
Comparative StudyResearch that compares multiple groups/interventions to determine differences/similarities in outcomes/characteristics.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.Research funding provided by the Public Health Service (PHS).

Language : English

11.

Rationalisation of regimens of treatment of kala-azar with sodium stibogluconate in India: a randomised study.

Author: ThakurC P, KumarM, KumarP, MishraB N, PandeyA K

Kala-azar cure
Low toxicity
Relapse
Unresponsiveness

Intramuscular sodium stibogluconate is effective in treating kala-azar. A dose of 20 mg/kg for at least 40 days showed the highest cure rate with low toxicity and low rates of relapse and unresponsiveness.

Clinical TrialA clinical trial is a planned study conducted on humans to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and treatment methods. It aims to explore the possibilities of new treatments and improve the health of patients.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

12.

An open label randomized clinical trial comparing the safety and effectiveness of one, two or three weekly pentamidine isethionate doses (seven milligrams per kilogram) in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Amazon Region.

Author: GadelhaEllen Priscilla Nunes, RamasawmyRajendranath, da Costa OliveiraBruna, Morais RochaNágila, de Oliveira GuerraJorge Augusto, Allan Villa Rouco da SilvaGeorge, Gabrielle Ramos de MesquitaTirza, Chrusciak Talhari CortezCarolina, Chrusciak TalhariAnette

ACL treatment
Dose discrepancy

The current recommended dose of pentamidine isethionate (PI) for treating cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil is 4 mg/kg/daily, which is lower than the dose required to achieve the equivalent therapeutic effect of the original formulation, pentamidine base.

Clinical Trial, Phase IIA Phase II trial is a trial that further evaluates the efficacy and safety of a new drug or treatment, whose safety has been confirmed to some extent in a Phase I trial, in a small number of patients.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.

Language : English

13.

Efficacy and Safety of Pafuramidine versus Pentamidine Maleate for Treatment of First Stage Sleeping Sickness in a Randomized, Comparator-Controlled, International Phase 3 Clinical Trial.

Author: PohligGabriele, BernhardSonja C, BlumJohannes, BurriChristian, MpanyaAlain, LubakiJean-Pierre Fina, MpotoAlfred Mpoo, MununguBlaise Fungula, N'tombePatrick Mangoni, DeoGratias Kambau Manesa, MutantuPierre Nsele, KuikumbiFlorent Mbo, MintwoAlain Fukinsia, MunungiAugustin Kayeye, DalaAmadeu, MachariaStephen, BilengeConstantin Miaka Mia, MesuVictor Kande Betu Ku, FrancoJose Ramon, DituvangaNdinga Dieyi, TidwellRichard R, OlsonCarol A

Sleeping sickness treatment

Pafuramidine, an orally administered drug, shows promise as a treatment for sleeping sickness (human African trypanosomiasis).

Clinical Trial, Phase IIIA Phase III trial is a trial that further rigorously verifies the efficacy and safety of a new drug or treatment, whose efficacy and safety have been confirmed in a Phase II trial, in a large number of patients, and evaluates whether it is superior to existing treatments.
Comparative StudyResearch that compares multiple groups/interventions to determine differences/similarities in outcomes/characteristics.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Multicenter StudyResearch conducted in collaboration with multiple research institutions. It aims to collect a wide range of data and obtain more generalizable results.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

16.

[Pentamidine inhalation for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in AIDS].

Author: PinesA, GiladiM, MoshkowitzM, FinkelsteinA, LevoY

PCP treatment
aerosolized pentamidine
side effects

Aerosolized pentamidine was found to be an effective treatment for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in an AIDS patient, with fewer adverse reactions than intravenous trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole or pentamidine injections. Further research is needed to optimize aerosol characteristics and delivery methods.

Case ReportsIn the medical field, a report that describes in detail a unique case, an unusual medical condition, or the effect of a treatment. Provides new insights and possibilities for treatment through individual patient cases.
English AbstractA summary of a research paper/publication written in English for a wider audience.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.

Language : Hebrew

17.

[A strategy to control Trypanosomiasis due to Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in an endemic region of Zaire. Association of a serological test and early treatment of suspected cases. Preliminary results].

Author: De GroofD, BruneelH, MungomaK, RuppolJ F

Reduced incidence of disease

Combining a serological diagnostic test (Testryp CATT) with early treatment of suspected cases of sleeping sickness led to a decline in the incidence rate of new cases and seropositivity rates in an endemic area of Zaire.

English AbstractA summary of a research paper/publication written in English for a wider audience.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.

Language : French

19.

[Efficacy and tolerance of pentamidine for treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by por L. (V) panamensis in Colombia].

Author: RobledoSara María, PuertaJuan Alberto, MuñozDiana Lorena, GuardoMónica, VélezIván Darío

Leishmaniasis treatment
Well tolerated
Relapse
Treatment failure

Pentamidine isethionate was found to be effective and well-tolerated in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. (V) panamensis. In a pilot clinical trial involving 63 individuals, 86% of treated patients experienced complete healing of their lesions within 1.5 months of treatment. The most common side effects were local pain and swelling at the injection site, dizziness, and fever, which were mild to moderate in severity.

Clinical TrialA clinical trial is a planned study conducted on humans to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and treatment methods. It aims to explore the possibilities of new treatments and improve the health of patients.
English AbstractA summary of a research paper/publication written in English for a wider audience.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : Spanish

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