Medical uses
Treatment of PCP caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii
Prevention of PCP in adults with HIV who have one or both of the following:
History of PCP
CD4+ count ≤ 200mm³
Treatment of leishmaniasis
Treatment of African trypanosomiasis caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense
Balamuthia infections
Pentamidine is classified as an orphan drug by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Other uses
Use as an antitumor drug has also been proposed. Pentamidine is also identified as a potential small molecule antagonist that disrupts this interaction between S100P and RAGE receptor. Special Populations
Pregnancy
It has not been shown to cause birth defects in animal studies when given intravenously. There are no controlled studies to show if pentamidine can harm the fetus in pregnant women. It is only recommended if the drug of choice trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is contraindicated. Breastfeeding
There is no information regarding the excretion of pentamidine in breast milk, but since the adverse effects on breastfed infants are unknown currently, it is recommended by the manufacturer for the infant to not be breastfed or for the mother to stop the drug. Risks versus benefits for the mother should be considered when making this decision. Children
Pentamidine can be used in the prevention of PCP in children with HIV who cannot tolerate Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole and can use a nebulizer. Intranvenous solutions of pentamidine should only be used in children with HIV older than 2 years old when other treatments are unavailable

Elderly
There is no data for the use of pentamidine in this specific population.
Pentamidine is an antimicrobial medication used to treat African trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, Balamuthia infections, babesiosis, and to prevent and treat pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in people with poor immune function. In African trypanosomiasis it is used for early disease before central nervous system involvement, as a second line option to suramin. It is an option for both visceral leishmaniasis and cutaneous leishmaniasis. Pentamidine can be given by injection into a vein or muscle or by inhalation.Common side effects of the injectable form include low blood sugar, pain at the site of injection, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, and kidney problems. Common side effects of the inhaled form include wheezing, cough, and nausea. It is unclear if doses should be changed in those with kidney or liver problems. Pentamidine is not recommended in early pregnancy but may be used in later pregnancy. Its safety during breastfeeding is unclear. Pentamidine is in the aromatic diamidine family of medications. While the way the medication works is not entirely clear, it is believed to involve decreasing the production of DNA, RNA, and protein.Pentamidine came into medical use in 1937. It is on the World Health Organizations List of Essential Medicines. It is available as a generic medication. In regions of the world where the disease is common pentamidine is provided for free by the World Health Organization (WHO).