ONCE-A-MONTH ADMINISTRATION OF INTRAVENOUS PENTAMIDINE TO PATIENTS INFECTED WITH HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS AS PROPHYLAXIS FOR PNEUMOCYSTIS-CARINII PNEUMONIA

We reviewed the charts of 52 patients infected with human immunodefici ency virus (HIV) who received at least three consecutive doses of intr avenous pentamidine as prophylaxis for Pneumocystis carinii infections . Pentamidine isethionate was administered intravenously over 60-90 mi nutes once a month, at a dosage of 4 mg/kg, in 250 mt of 5% dextrose i n water. During 387 months of administration of primary prophylaxis to 37 patients, no cases of P. carinii pneumonia were observed. During 2 00 months of administration of secondary prophylaxis to 15 patients, o nly one case of P. carinii pneumonia was diagnosed (6.0 cases per 100 patient-years). Side effects associated with the intravenous pentamidi ne were mild and did not necessitate withdrawal of the drug. Once-a-mo nth administration of intravenous pentamidine is a valid alternative a s prophylaxis for P. carinii pneumonia for patients who are intolerant of sulfonamides.