Editing Pentamidine (section)

== Pharmacokinetics ==
===Absorption===
Pentamidine is completely absorbed when given intravenously or intramuscularly. When inhaled through a nebulizer, pentamidine accumulates in the [[bronchoalveolar fluid]] of the lungs at a higher concentration compared to injections. The inhaled form is minimally absorbed in the blood, but the effects of chronic inhaled administration on these levels are not known.<ref name=":11" /> Absorption is unreliable when given orally.<ref name=":1" />

===Distribution===
When injected, pentamidine binds to tissues and proteins in the plasma. It accumulates in the kidney, liver, lungs, pancreas, spleen, and adrenal glands.<ref name=":2" /> Additionally, pentamidine does not reach curative levels in the [[cerebrospinal fluid]].<ref name=":1" /> It has a [[volume of distribution]] of 286–1356 liters when given intravenously and 1658–3790 liters when given intramuscularly.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=http://reference.medscape.com/drug/nebupent-pentam-pentamidine-342568#10|title=NebuPent, Pentam (pentamidine) dosing, indications, interactions, adverse effects, and more|website=reference.medscape.com|access-date=2016-11-06|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106185759/http://reference.medscape.com/drug/nebupent-pentam-pentamidine-342568#10|archive-date=2016-11-06}}</ref> Inhaled pentamidine is mainly recovered from the [[bronchoalveolar lavage fluid]] of the lungs.<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":2" />

===Metabolism===
Pentamidine is primarily metabolized by [[cytochrome P450]] enzymes in the liver.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/pentamidine#section=DrugBank-Interactions&fullscreen=true|title=pentamidine {{!}} C19H24N4O2 | work = PubChem | publisher = U.S. National Library of Medicine |access-date=2016-11-06|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107011758/https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/pentamidine#section=DrugBank-Interactions&fullscreen=true|archive-date=2016-11-07}}</ref> Up to 12% of pentamidine is eliminated in the urine unchanged.<ref name=":10" />

===Elimination===
Pentamidine has an average half-life of five to eight hours when given intravenously and seven to eleven hours when given intramuscularly. However, these may increase with severe kidney problems.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.drugs.com/ppa/pentamidine-oral-inhalation.html|title=Pentamidine (Oral Inhalation) (Professional Patient Advice) - Drugs.com|website=www.drugs.com|access-date=2016-11-04|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104142839/https://www.drugs.com/ppa/pentamidine-oral-inhalation.html|archive-date=2016-11-04}}</ref> Pentamidine can remain in the system for as long as eight months after the first injection.<ref name=":6" />