Pentamidine and Alcohol/Food Interactions

pentamidine - pancreatitis

Acute and potentially fatal pancreatitis has been reported with parenteral use and, rarely, oral inhalation of pentamidine. Patients with a history of or known risk factors for pancreatitis, such as alcohol abuse or hypertriglyceridemia, should be monitored closely during therapy with pentamidine. Therapy should be discontinued at the first signs or symptoms suggestive of pancreatitis (e.g., nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, hyperamylasemia with dysglycemia, rising triglycerides, decreasing serum calcium), and preferably permanently discontinued if clinical pancreatitis develops.