pentamidine Pharm.
(pɛnˈtæmɪdiːn)
[f. pentane + amidine (f. amide + -ine5).]
A diamidine that is used, usu. in the form of its isethionate (a white, hygroscopic, crystalline solid), for the prevention and treatment of certain tropical diseases, esp. sleeping sickness; 1,5-di(4-amidinophenoxy)pentane, (H2N) (HN) C·C6H4·O·(CH2)5·O·C6H4·C(NH)(NH2).
| 1941 Fulton & Yorke in Ann. Trop. Med. & Parasitol. XXXV. 229 The name ‘stilbamidine’ has been given to 4:4{p}-diamidino stilbene, ‘propamidine’ to 4:4{p}-diamidino diphenoxy propane, ‘pentamidine’ to 4:4{p}-diamidino diphenoxy pentane, and ‘phenamidine’ to 4:4{p}-diamidino diphenyl ether. 1951 A. Grollman Pharmacol. & Therapeutics xx. 417 This led to the trial of other diamidine derivatives of which stilbamidine, propamidine and pentamidine are most widely used. 1974 Jrnl. Protozool. XXI. 324/2 Gutteridge..found that C. fasciculata mitochondrial respiration was inhibited 71% by 1 mM pentamidine. 1977 Lancet 3 Sept. 510/2 A man of 66 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was suspected of having Pneumocystis carinii infection, and pentamidine was given for 5 days. |