Sodium Stibogluconate (Pentostam) Injection

Sodium Stibogluconate (Pentostam) Injection is an anti-protozoal drug. It is a synthetic pentavalent antimonial agent that is indicated for the treatment of leishmaniasis.

Sodium Stibogluconate (Pentostam) Uses:

  • Leishmaniasis:

    • Cutaneous, mucosal & visceral leishmaniasis treatment.

Sodium Stibogluconate (Pentostam) Dose in Adults

  • Dosage is expressed as mg of pentavalent antimony.

Sodium Stibogluconate (Pentostam) Dose in the treatment of Leishmaniasis:

  • IM/IV:
    • 20 mg/kg/day.
    • For cutaneous leishmaniasis, the duration of therapy is 20 days & 28 days for mucosal & visceral leishmaniasis.

Use in Children:

  • Refer to adult dosing.

Sodium Stibogluconate (Pentostam) Pregnancy Risk Category: C

  • The use of sodium stibogluconate in pregnancy has been documented.
  • However, spontaneous abortions may be more likely than with other agents.
  • Untreated leishmaniasis can also cause spontaneous abortion.
  • Also, babies who are too small to be diagnosed with congenital leishmaniasis at gestational age 7 may experience spontaneous abortion.
  • Pregnancy may activate an existing maternal infection.
  • Maternal infection can be transmitted to the baby during delivery.
  • Lesions in cutaneous Leishmaniasis can be more severe in pregnant women.
  • Other agents may be recommended for pregnant women to treat visceral Leishmaniasis.

Sodium stibogluconate use during breastfeeding:

  • Breast milk contains sodium stibogluconate.

Pentostam Dose in Kidney Disease:

  • Avoid use in significant impairment.

Pentostam Dose in Liver disease:

  • Avoid use.

Side Effects of Sodium Stibogluconate (Pentostam):

  • Gastrointestinal:

    • Diarrhea
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Abdominal pain
    • Anorexia
    • Increase serum lipase levels
  • Cardiovascular:

    • Flattened T Wave On ECG
    • Inversion T Wave On ECG
    • Prolonged Q-T Interval On ECG
  • Central Nervous System:

    • Headache
    • Lethargy
    • Malaise
  • Endocrine & Metabolic:

    • Increased Amylase
    • Hematologic & Oncologic:

      • Change In Platelet Count (Decreased; Transient)
      • Decreased Hemoglobin (Transient)
      • Decreased White Blood Cell Count (Transient)
  • Neuromuscular & Skeletal:

    • Arthralgia
    • Myalgia
  • Respiratory:

    • Cough (Transient)
    • Pneumonia

Contraindication to Sodium Stibogluconate (Pentostam):

Hypersensitivity reactions to any drug or component of the formulations should be avoided. Advanced liver and kidney disease.

Warnings and precautions

  • Modified cardiac conduction

    • ECG changes such as T-wave inversions, extended QT intervals and arrhythmia can occur. They appear to be dose and duration dependent.
    • Reports of sudden death and cardiotoxicity have been rare.
    • Stop immediately if a QT interval corrected >0.5 seconds is prolonged or any other signs of cardiotoxicity, such as significant arrhythmia, concave segments ST segments, or prolongation.
  • Hematologic effects

    • Anemia, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia can occur during treatment.
    • Monitor CBC periodically.
    • If possible, iron deficiency should first be corrected before therapy can begin.
  • Hepatotoxicity:

    • Elevated liver enzymes can occur.
    • It is important to monitor LFTs regularly.
    • If hepatotoxicity develops, discontinue use.
  • Musculoskeletal effects

    • Myalgias and arthralgias can occur. Sometimes, they are severe and last for several weeks.
  • Pancreatitis

    • Common symptoms are pancreatic enzyme elevations.
    • Although less common, pancreatitis can occur.
    • Patients with preexisting pancreatic diseases should be avoided.
  • Cardiac disease

    • Patients with pre-existing heart disease should be avoided.
  • Hepatic impairment

    • Patients with preexisting liver disease should be avoided.
  • Renal impairment

    • Patients with severe renal impairment should not use this medication.

Sodium stibogluconate (United States: Available via CDC drug service investigational drug [IND] protocol only)s: Drug Interaction

Risk Factor C (Monitor therapy)

Chloroquine

Chloroquine's QTcprolonging impact may be enhanced by QT-prolonging Other Agents (Moderate Risk). When using these medications together, watch out for cardiac arrhythmias and a prolonged QTc interval. Patients may be considerably more at risk for QTc prolongation if they have additional risk factors.

Clofazimine

The QTcprolonging effect of Clofazimine may be enhanced by QT-prolonging Other Agents (Moderate Risk). When using these medications together, watch out for cardiac arrhythmias and a prolonged QTc interval. Patients may be considerably more at risk for QTc prolongation if they have additional risk factors.

Gadobenate Dimeglumine

Gadobenate Dimeglumine's ability to prolong QTc may be enhanced by QT-prolonging Other Agents (Moderate Risk). When using these medications together, watch out for cardiac arrhythmias and a prolonged QTc interval. Patients may be considerably more at risk for QTc prolongation if they have additional risk factors.

Halofantrine

Halofantrine's ability to prolong QTc may be strengthened by other QT-prolonging substances (moderate risk). When using these medications together, watch out for cardiac arrhythmias and a prolonged QTc interval. Patients may be considerably more at risk for QTc prolongation if they have additional risk factors.

Haloperidol

The QTcprolonging effect of haloperidol may be enhanced by QT-prolonging Other Agents (Moderate Risk). When using these medications together, watch out for cardiac arrhythmias and a prolonged QTc interval. Patients may be considerably more at risk for QTc prolongation if they have additional risk factors.

Lofexidine

QT-prolonging Miscellaneous Agents (Moderate Risk) may enhance the QTcprolonging effect of Lofexidine. Management: Monitor for QTc interval prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias when these agents are combined. Patients with additional risk factors for QTc prolongation may be at even higher risk.

Midostaurin

Midostaurin's ability to prolong QTc may be strengthened by other QT-prolonging substances (moderate risk). When using these medications together, watch out for cardiac arrhythmias and a prolonged QTc interval. Patients may be considerably more at risk for QTc prolongation if they have additional risk factors.

Ondansetron

Ondansetron's ability to prolong QTc may be enhanced by other QT-prolonging substances (moderate risk). When using these medications together, watch out for cardiac arrhythmias and a prolonged QTc interval. Patients may be considerably more at risk for QTc prolongation if they have additional risk factors.

Pentamidine (Systemic)

Pentamidine's ability to prolong QTc may be enhanced by other QT-prolonging substances (moderate risk) (Systemic). When using these medications together, watch out for cardiac arrhythmias and a prolonged QTc interval. Patients may be considerably more at risk for QTc prolongation if they have additional risk factors.

Piperaquine

The QTcprolonging effect of piperaquine may be enhanced by QT-prolonging Other Agents (Moderate Risk). When using these medications together, watch out for cardiac arrhythmias and a prolonged QTc interval. Patients may be considerably more at risk for QTc prolongation if they have additional risk factors.

Probucol

The QTcprolonging effect of Probucol may be enhanced by QT-prolonging Miscellaneous Agents (Moderate Risk). When using these medications together, watch out for cardiac arrhythmias and a prolonged QTc interval. Patients may be considerably more at risk for QTc prolongation if they have additional risk factors.

QT-prolonging Antidepressants (Moderate Risk)

May increase the QTc-prolonging action of other QT-prolonging agents (Moderate Risk). When using these medications together, watch out for cardiac arrhythmias and a prolonged QTc interval. Patients may be considerably more at risk for QTc prolongation if they have additional risk factors.

QT-prolonging Antipsychotics (Moderate Risk)

The QTc-prolonging impact of QT-prolonging antipsychotics may be enhanced by QT-prolonging Miscellaneous Agents (Moderate Risk) (Moderate Risk). When using these medications together, watch out for cardiac arrhythmias and a prolonged QTc interval. Patients may be considerably more at risk for QTc prolongation if they have additional risk factors. Examples include pimozide.

QT-prolonging Class IC Antiarrhythmics (Moderate Risk)

The QTc-prolonging impact of QT-prolonging Class IC Antiarrhythmics may be enhanced by QT-prolonging Miscellaneous Agents (Moderate Risk) (Moderate Risk). When using these medications together, watch out for cardiac arrhythmias and a prolonged QTc interval. Patients may be considerably more at risk for QTc prolongation if they have additional risk factors.

QT-prolonging Kinase Inhibitors (Moderate Risk)

May increase the QTc-prolonging action of other QT-prolonging agents (Moderate Risk). When using these medications together, watch out for cardiac arrhythmias and a prolonged QTc interval. Patients may be considerably more at risk for QTc prolongation if they have additional risk factors.

QT-prolonging Miscellaneous Agents (Moderate Risk)

May increase the sodium stibogluconate's ability to extend QTc. When using these medications together, watch out for cardiac arrhythmias and a prolonged QTc interval. Patients may be considerably more at risk for QTc prolongation if they have additional risk factors. 

QT-prolonging Moderate CYP3A4 Inhibitors (Moderate Risk)

Potentially amplifies the QTc-prolonging effects of other QT-prolonging agents (Moderate Risk). QT-prolonging Miscellaneous Agents' serum concentration may be increased by QT-prolonging Moderate CYP3A4 Inhibitors (Moderate Risk) (Moderate Risk). When using these medications together, watch out for cardiac arrhythmias and a prolonged QTc interval. Patients may be considerably more at risk for QTc prolongation if they have additional risk factors.

QT-prolonging Quinolone Antibiotics (Moderate Risk)

The action of QT-prolonging Quinolone Antibiotics may be enhanced by QT-prolonging Miscellaneous Agents (Moderate Risk) (Moderate Risk). When using these medications together, watch out for cardiac arrhythmias and a prolonged QTc interval. Patients may be considerably more at risk for QTc prolongation if they have additional risk factors.

Risk Factor D (Consider therapy modification)

Amphotericin B

Sodium Stibogluconate's cardiotoxic effects can be amplified.

Amphotericin B (Conventional)

Sodium Stibogluconate's cardiotoxic effects can be amplified. Particularly, chances for arrhythmia and abrupt cardiac death could rise.

Domperidone

The QTc-prolonging action of Domperidone may be strengthened by QT-prolonging Agents (Moderate Risk). Management: Take into account different pharmacological combinations. If combined, keep an eye out for cardiac arrhythmias and a prolonged QTc interval. Patients may be considerably more at risk for QTc prolongation if they have additional risk factors.

QT-prolonging Agents (Highest Risk)

May increase the sodium stibogluconate's ability to extend QTc. Management: Take into account alternatives to this fusion. If combined, keep an eye out for cardiac arrhythmias and a prolonged QTc interval. Patients may be considerably more at risk for QTc prolongation if they have additional risk factors.

Risk Factor X (Avoid combination)

Pimozide

Could make QT-prolonging agents' effect on QTc longer (Moderate Risk).

QT-prolonging Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors (Moderate Risk)

Potentially amplifies the QTc-prolonging effects of other QT-prolonging agents (Moderate Risk). The serum concentration of QT-prolonging Miscellaneous Agents may rise in response to QT-prolonging Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors (Moderate Risk) (Moderate Risk).

Monitoring parameters:

  • Baseline & weekly EKG, serum creatinine, liver function tests, serum amylase & CBC.
  • During week 3 of therapy, patients requiring >20 days of treatment should begin twice-weekly EKG monitoring.
  • In certain patients, twice-weekly or more frequent EKG monitoring may be indicated (eg, elderly, underlying cardiac, renal, or hepatic disease).

How to administer Sodium Stibogluconate (Pentostam)?

  • IM/IV:
    • Administer IM or IV (preferred) over 5-10 mins.
    • IM injection may be painful because volume per dose may be large.

Mechanism of action of Sodium Stibogluconate (Pentostam):

  • It is not known what the exact mechanism of action is.
  • The proposed mechanisms include the conversion to a trivalent antimony form that affects glucose metabolism, fatty acids beta-oxidation, and adenosine triphosphate formation.
  • It can cause the formation of a complex containing adenine nucleotides that acts as an inhibitor for Leishmania purine transporters, or interfere with purine salvage pathway.
  • Activation and stimulation of the host immune system.

Absorption:

  • IM:
    • Well absorbed.

Half-life elimination:

  • ~10 hours.

Excretion:

  • Urine (80% as an unchanged drug over 6 hours)

International Brands of Sodium Stibogluconate

  • Pentostam
  • Stibovita

Sodium Stibogluconate Brand Names in Pakistan:

Sodium Stibogluconate Injection 333 mg

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