Pentamidine Isetionate

Trade name

DBL Pentamidine Isethionate, Pentamidine-EMC

Presentation and preparation

For IV administration:

Vial size (powder volume)	Fluid to add	Volume to add	Resulting concentration
300 mg (0.15 mL)	Water for injections	4.9 mL	60 mg/mL

Reconstitute to 60 mg/mL for IV administration.

For IM administration:

Vial size (powder volume)	Fluid to add	Volume to add	Resulting concentration
300 mg (0.15 mL)	Water for injections	2.9 mL	100 mg/mL

Reconstitute to 100 mg/mL for IM administration.

IV administration

Dilute reconstituted solution to 6 mg/mL or weaker and give over at least 1 hour.

Other routes of administration

IM: Suitable. Due to the risk of local adverse reactions, reserve IM administration for when IV administration is not feasible and in patients with adequate muscle mass.

Give undiluted by deep IM injection into a large muscle mass, preferably in the buttock, using the Z-track technique.

SC: Not recommended.

Compatible IV fluids

Glucose 5%

Sodium chloride 0.9%

Y-site only:

Hartmann’s

Ringer’'s

Additional information

Extravasation risk.

Potentially hazardous medication: may require special handling precautions, refer to RCH Safe Handling of Hazardous Medicines Procedure or relevant local guideline.

Rapid administration may cause severe hypotension, hypoglycaemia and cardiac arrhythmias. Patient should remain lying down during administration; monitor blood pressure before and regularly during treatment.

Use only when facilities for cardiac monitoring and cardio-respiratory facilities exist.

Use with caution in patients predisposed to QT interval prolongation or in patients being administered other medications known to prolong the QT interval.

Ensure adequate hydration.

Protect from light during storage.