Primaquine is used for radical cure of relapsing malaria.For adults and older children 15 mgs daily for 2 weeks is given with full curative dose of chloroquine.It is better to start primaquine after the acute phase of vivax malaria has passed. In patients with G-6-PD deficiency,45 mg of primaquine with 300 mg of chloroquine once a week for 4-7 weeks has been found to effect radical cure without inducing significant hemolysis.

Primaquine is contraindicated in hypersensitivity with any drug that causes hemolysis or bone marrow depression. It is also contraindicated in RA, SLE and children under 1yr of age.

Precautions

In patients with family or personal history of hemolytic anemia, Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), methemoglobin reductase deficiency: There is an increased chance of adverse effects affecting the blood.

Interactions

Taking Dapsone, Furazolidone, Methyldopa, Nitrofurantoin,Procainamide, Quinacrine, Quinidine, Quinine, Sulfonamides, Sulfoxone or vitamin K : with Primaquine may increase the chance of hemolysis.

Brand Names

Malirid(IPCA), PMQ-INGA(Inga), Primaline(Unicure).

Pharmacokinetics | Indications | Routes of Administration and Dosage | Contra Indications | Precautions | Interactions | Brand Names

|