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

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2021 Jan;68(1):e28714. doi: 10.1002/pbc.28714. Epub 2020 Sep 26.

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.

Keywords: adverse reactions; aero-digestive; children; intravenous; pentamidine.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antifungal Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / epidemiology*
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / etiology
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / pathology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Leukemia / pathology
  • Leukemia / therapy*
  • Male
  • Michigan / epidemiology
  • Pentamidine / administration & dosage
  • Pentamidine / adverse effects*
  • Pneumocystis carinii / drug effects*
  • Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / drug therapy*
  • Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / etiology
  • Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / pathology
  • Prognosis
  • Self Report
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Upper Gastrointestinal Tract / drug effects
  • Upper Gastrointestinal Tract / pathology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Pentamidine