Proper Use of This Medicine

To help clear up your infection completely, pentamidine must be given for the full time of treatment , even if you begin to feel better after a few days. Also, this medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, pentamidine must be given on a regular schedule.

Dosing—The dose of pentamidine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of pentamidine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For injection dosage form:
  • For Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP):
    • Adults and children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 4 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) (1.8 mg per pound) of body weight given once a day for fourteen to twenty-one days. This dose is injected slowly into a vein over a one- to two-hour period of time.