NEBUPENT- pentamidine isethionate inhalant
APP Pharmaceuticals, LLC
For Oral Inhalation Only
DESCRIPTION
NebuPent (pentamidine isethionate), an antifungal agent, is a nonpyrogenic lyophilized product. After reconstitution with Sterile Water for Injection, USP, NebuPent is administered by inhalation via the Respirgard� II nebulizer [Marquest, Englewood, CO] (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
Pentamidine isethionate, 4,4'-[1,5-pentane-diylbis(oxy)]bis-benzenecarboximidamid, is a white crystalline powder soluble in water and glycerin and insoluble in ether, acetone, and chloroform.
C19 H24 N4 O2 �2C2 H6 O4 S 592.68
Each vial contains 300 mg pentamidine isethionate.
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Microbiology
Mechanism of Action
Studies suggest that the pentamidine isethionate interferes with microbial nuclear metabolism by inhibition of DNA, RNA, phospholipid and protein synthesis. However, the mode of action is not fully understood. INDICATIONS AND USAGE
NebuPent is indicated for the prevention of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PJP) in high-risk, HIV-infected patients defined by one or both of the following criteria:
i. a history of one or more episodes of PJP
ii. a peripheral CD4+ (T4 helper/inducer) lymphocyte count less than or equal to 200/mm3.
These indications are based on the results of an 18-month randomized, dose-response trial in high risk HIV-infected patients and on existing epidemiological data from natural history studies.
The patient population of the controlled trial consisted of 408 patients, 237 of whom had a history of one or more episodes of PJP. The remaining patients without a history of PJP included 55 patients with Kaposi's sarcoma and 116 patients with other AIDS diagnoses, ARC or asymptomatic HIV infection. Patients were randomly assigned to receive NebuPent via the Respirgard� II nebulizer at one of the following three doses: 30 mg every two weeks (n=135), 150 mg every two weeks (n=134) or 300 mg every four weeks (n=139). The results of the trial demonstrated a significant protective effect (p<0.01) against PJP with the 300 mg every four week dosage regimen compared to the 30 mg every two week dosage regimen. The 300 mg dose regimen reduced the risk of developing PJP by 50 to 70% compared to the 30 mg regimen. A total of 293 patients (72% of all patients) also received zidovudine at sometime during the trial. The analysis of the data demonstrated the efficacy of the 300 mg dose even after adjusting for the effect of zidovudine.
The results of the trial further demonstrate that the dose and frequency of dosing are important to the efficacy of NebuPent prophylaxis in that multiple analyses consistently demonstrated a trend toward greater efficacy with 300 mg every four weeks as compared to 150 mg every two weeks.
No dose-response was observed for reduction in overall mortality; however, mortality from PJP was low in all three dosage groups.
