Drug interactions
Pentamidine + Vancomycin
Severity: Moderate
Pentamidine and Vancomycin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both drugs can injure the kidneys, so combined systemic use may increase the risk of acute kidney injury. The effect is additive rather than a proven pharmacokinetic interaction.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pentamidine and Vancomycin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Pentamidine belongs to Anti Parasitic; Vancomycin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Additive nephrotoxicity of the two agents.
What to do
Monitor serum creatinine, electrolytes and vancomycin trough levels regularly and adjust doses to renal function.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Vancomycin
- Amikacin + Vancomycin Major
- Bacitracin + Vancomycin Major
- Capreomycin + Vancomycin Major
- Cephaloridine + Vancomycin Major
- Cidofovir + Vancomycin Major
- Cisplatin + Vancomycin Major
Other interactions of Pentamidine
- Clomipramine + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Desipramine + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Moxifloxacin + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Nortriptyline + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Pentamidine + Pimozide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Pentamidine with Vancomycin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Pentamidine and Vancomycin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both drugs can injure the kidneys, so combined systemic use may increase the risk of acute kidney injury. The effect is additive rather than a proven pharmacokinetic interaction.
How serious is the interaction between Pentamidine and Vancomycin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor serum creatinine, electrolytes and vancomycin trough levels regularly and adjust doses to renal function.
What other medicines interact with Vancomycin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Vancomycin with, for example, Amikacin, Bacitracin, Capreomycin. The full list is on the Vancomycin page.
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