Aerodigestive adverse effects during intravenous pentamidine infusion for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia prophylaxis

Abstract

Aerodigestive adverse effects (AD-AE) during intravenous pentamidine (IV-P) infusion for Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia prophylaxis are uncommon in retrospective chart review studies. We conducted a survey in patients on IV-P, which included 31 specific questions. Twenty-five patients were included in the analysis; AD-AE were observed in 22 (88%) with recurrence of symptoms in 88% participants with subsequent infusions. Five leading symptoms were congestion (48%), lip tingling (32%), nausea (28%), tongue tingling (24%), vomiting, and throat swelling (17%); multiple symptoms were reported in 72% of the patients. In conclusion, AD-AE of IV-P infusion are common, self-limited, and tend to be recurrent.

Incidence of Pneumocystis Pneumonia in Immunocompromised Patients without Human Immunodeficiency Virus on Intravenous Pentamidine Prophylaxis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…These adverse reactions are typically mild, self-limited, or easy to control by premedication. They start early during transfusion and tend to be recurrent [17,18,32,38]. However, anaphylaxis, transfusion rate-related hypotension, dysglycemia (hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia), and pancreatitis are worrisome adverse reactions that usually lead to IVP discontinuation [40].…”