ABSTRACT
Pentamidine isethionate (trade names: Lomidine, Pentam, Pentam 300, Pentacarinat, NebuPent, Pneumopent) is a positively charged aromatic diamine. Pure pentamidine is colorless, appearing as needle-shaped crystals, but is presented as a white powder for reconstitution for medicinal use. The molecular weight of pentamidine isethionate is 592.7 g/mol and the molecular formula is C23H36N4O10S2. Pentamidine base (C19H24N4O2) has a molecular weight of 340.42 g/mol; the chemical structure is shown in Figure 197.1 (Srikrishnan et al., 2004). Its Inernational Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) name is 4-[5-(4-carbamimidoylphenoxy) pentoxy] benzenecarboximidamide; 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid. The molecule is composed of a central pentanediol chain that is planar, with two aromatic diamidines, one at each end of the pentadiol chain. The flexibility and structure of the molecule allow the aromatic rings to interact with the bases of nucleic acids of pathogens and hosts. It is formulated for parenteral use and aerosolization. Molecular structure of pentamidine isethionate. https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315152110/08d8042d-9481-4a8d-8c27-9bd589f6de6b/content/fig197_1.tif" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/>
