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Pentam (PENTAMIDINE)
Pentamidine works by interfering with the reproduction of certain parasites, such as Pneumocystis jiroveci.
Pentam (Pentamidine) is a small molecule antiprotozoal drug developed by Fresenius Kabi USA, targeting the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M4. It is used to treat African trypanosomiasis, Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia Prevention, and Pneumocystosis jiroveci pneumonia. The drug is off-patent, with 8 generic manufacturers available. Pentamidine has a half-life of 25 hours and 0% bioavailability. It was FDA approved in 1984.
At a glance
| Generic name | PENTAMIDINE |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Fresenius Kabi |
| Drug class | Antiprotozoal |
| Target | Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M4 |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Metabolic |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
| First approval | 1984 |
Mechanism of action
Mechanism of Action. Studies suggest that the pentamidine isethionate interferes with microbial nuclear metabolism by inhibition of DNA, RNA, phospholipid and protein synthesis. However, the mode of action is not fully understood.
Approved indications
- African trypanosomiasis
- Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia Prevention
- Pneumocystosis jiroveci pneumonia
Common side effects
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Decreased appetite
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Wheezing
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Headache
- Bronchitis
- Anemia
Drug interactions
- High Risk QT Prolonging Agents
- tobramycin
- ziprasidone
Key clinical trials
- Study Comparing Several Drugs to Understand Which Work Against Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) (PHASE3)
- Positioning Second-line Therapies for Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia (PCP Alternatives) (PHASE4)
- Treatment of Bolivian L Braziliensis Mucosal Leishmaniasis with Inhaled Pentamidine Plus Oral Miltefosine (PHASE2)
- Hypertrophic Scar Prevention by Novel Topical Gel Application (PHASE1,PHASE2)
- Study of Cases of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Treated With Miltefosine in French Guiana, Retrospective Study
- A Study of Pentamidine in the Prevention of Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia (NA)
- Comparison of Trimetrexate Plus Leucovorin Calcium Rescue Versus Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim in the Treatment of Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia (PCP) in Patients With AIDS (PHASE3)
- A Study of Three Drugs Plus Zidovudine in the Prevention of Infections in HIV-Infected Patients (PHASE3)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| FDA label | Mechanism, indications, dosing, boxed warnings, drug interactions |
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Pentam CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Pentam updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Fresenius Kabi portfolio CI