Reactions 383 - 11 Jan 1992

Pentamidine

Hyperkalaemia and kidney disorders: incidencestudy

’This retrospective review of pentamidine use in AIDSpatients revealed an incidence of nephrotoxicity as great as 73percent and a 24 percent incidence of hyperkalaemia.’

Nephrotoxicity developed during 28 of 37 courses ofparenteral pentamidine therapy in 32 patients with AIDS andPneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Hyperkalaemia occurredduring 9 courses with arrhythmia occurring during 1 course oftherapy. Hyperkalaemia was also preceded by nephrotoxicity.Mean creatinine clearance significantly decreased and meanpotassium concentration significantly increased in all patientsduring therapy. Nephrotoxicity was significantly linked withthe total dose and duration of pentamidine therapyBriceland LL, et al. Pentamidine-associated nephrotoxicity and hyperkalemia inpatients with AIDS. DICP: Annals of Pharmacotherapy 25: 1171-1174, Nov 1991 -USA 800104669

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Reactions 11 Jan 1992 No. 3830114-9954/10/0383-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved