Pharmacologic Substance
pentamidine Audio
pen·tam·i·dine [ pen-tam-i-deen, -din ]
Brand Names:
NebuPent; Pentam
Effect:
Decreased DNA Replication; Decreased Protein Synthesis; Decreased RNA Replication; DNA Integrity Alteration; Lipid Metabolism Alteration; RNA Integrity Alteration
May Prevent:
Pneumonia, Pneumocystis
May Treat:
Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis; Trypanosomiasis
More Information:
ChemID; DrugBank; DailyMed; PDR
Definitions related to pentamidine:
  • 4,4-diamidino-alpha,omega-dephenoxypentane (HCl); effective against Pneumocystis carinii, a cause of AIDS related pneumonia.
    CRISP Thesaurus
    National Institutes of Health, 2006
  • A synthetic derivative of amidine with antiprotozoal and antifungal activities. Although the precise mode of action of pentamidine is unclear, it appears to interact directly with the pathogen genome by binding to AT-rich regions of duplex DNA and the minor groove of DNA, thereby interfering with DNA replication. (NCI04)
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Antiprotozoal agent effective in trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and some fungal infections; used in treatment of PNEUMOCYSTIS pneumonia in HIV-infected patients. It may cause diabetes mellitus, central nervous system damage, and other toxic effects.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • The active ingredient in a drug used to treat infections caused by certain microorganisms. It is also being studied in the treatment of melanoma. It prevents DNA from being copied and may kill cancer cells. It is a type of antifungal agent, a type of antiprotozoal agent, and a type of PRL phosphatase inhibitor.
    NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.