[shaznics]

Pentamidine - how long to stay on it?

by shaznics on Mon Jun 02, 2014 7:02 pm

Hi All

It has been 6 months since my husband had his first SCT. He has been on pentamidine ever since. Anyone else on this? Is it necessary on going?

Appreciate any feedback.

Kind Regards
Sharon

[Dr. Heather Landau]

Re: Pentamidine - how long to stay on it?

by Dr. Heather Landau on Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:11 pm

There are a few different medicines that we use for prophylaxis against a specific pathogen called pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), and pentamidine is one of them. It is typically given monthly starting at day +30 through 6 months post transplant, so hopefully he is done.

There is a caveat however ... If the plan is for additional therapy (especially steroid-containing regimens or another transplant), then your MD may recommend continuing it beyond 6 months.