Primaquine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Primaquine What Medicine?

What is primaquine for?

Primaquine is a drug used with other drugs to prevent and treat malaria caused by mosquito bites in countries where malaria is common. Malaria parasites can enter the body through the bite of these mosquitoes, and then live in body tissues such as red blood cells or liver. Primaquine is used after other drugs (such as chloroquine) have killed the malaria parasite that lives in the red blood cells. Then primaquine kills the malaria parasite that lives in other body tissues. This prevents the infection from returning. Both drugs are required for complete treatment. Primaquine phosphate belongs to a class of drugs known as antimalarials.

OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed on the approved professional label for the drug, but which may be prescribed by your healthcare professional. Use this medication for the conditions listed in this section only if it was prescribed by your healthcare professional.

This drug can also be used with other medicines to treat pneumonia (PCP) in AIDS patients.

How is primaquine used?

Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily with food to prevent stomach upset, or as directed by your doctor. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Primaquine is usually taken for 2 weeks after you leave the malaria area. This medication is started during the last 1-2 weeks of your other malaria treatment or as soon as you finish other treatment. Primaquine should not be taken for more than 14 days for the treatment of malaria.

Dosage is based on the type of infection you have and your response to treatment. Take this drug regularly. To help you remember, consume it at the same time every day.

It is very important to continue to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more or less than the prescribed dose. Do not stop taking this medication before finishing treatment, even if you feel better, unless instructed to do so by your doctor. Skipping or changing doses without the doctor's approval may make prevention / treatment ineffective. This causes an increase in the number of parasites, makes the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsens side effects.

It is very important to prevent mosquito bites (such as using the right insect repellant, wearing clothes that cover most of the body, staying in an air-conditioned room or using a mosquito net, using insecticide spray). Buy insect repellent before traveling. The most effective insect repellents contain Diethyltoluamide (DEET). Ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend a strength insect repellent for you / your child.

There is no drug therapy that is completely effective in preventing malaria. Therefore, seek medical help immediately if you have any symptoms of malaria (such as fever, chills, headache, other flu-like symptoms), especially while in a malaria-prone area and even after finishing this prescription. Prompt treatment of malaria infection is necessary to prevent serious, and possibly fatal, outcomes.

When using primaquine phosphate for the treatment of infections, tell your doctor if your condition persists or gets worse.

How to store primaquine?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Do not store in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines out of reach of children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Primaquine dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of primaquine for adults?

Usual Adult Dose for Malaria

Factory Recommendation:
Plasmodium malaria vivax radical drug: 15 mg basis (26.3 mg salt) orally once a day for 14 days

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Recommendations:
Radical drug P vivax or P ovale malaria: 30 mg base (52.6 mg salt) Orally once a day for 14 days
Alternative regimen: 45 mg basic (78.9 mg salt) orally once a week for 8 weeks

Usual Adult Dose for Malaria Prophylaxis

Factory Recommendation:
Prevention of malaria recurrence P vivax: 15 mg base (26.3 mg salt) orally once a day for 14 days

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Recommendations:
Primary prophylaxis: 30 mg basic (52.6 mg salt) orally once a day
Terminal prophylaxis (suspected anti-relapse therapy) for P vivax or P ovale malaria: 30 mg base (52.6 mg salt) orally once a day for 14 days

Usual Adult Dose for Pneumocystis Pneumonia
(Not approved by the FDA)

Recommended Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for HIV-infected patients: 15 to 30 mg base (26.3-52.6 mg salt) orally once a day with clindamycin
Duration of therapy: 21 days

What is the dosage of primaquine for children?

Usual Children's Dose for Malaria
(Not approved by the FDA)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Recommendations:
P vivax radical cure or P ovale malaria: 0.5 mg / base kg (0.88 mg / kg salt) orally once a day for 14 days
Maximum dose: 30 mg basis / day.

Usual Children's Dose for Malaria Prophylaxis
(Not approved by the FDA)

Recommended Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Primary prophylaxis: 0.5 mg / kg basis (0.88 mg / kg salt) orally once a day

Maximum dose: 30 mg basis / day

Prophylactic terminal (suspected anti-relapse therapy) for P vivax or P ovale malaria: 0.5 mg / base kg (0.88 mg / kg salt) orally once a day for 14 days

Maximum dose: 30 mg basis / day

Usual Children's Dose for Pneumocystis Pneumonia
(Not approved by the FDA)

Recommended Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

HIV-infected and HIV-infected infants and children: 0.3 mg / kg base (0.526 mg / kg salt) orally once a day with clindamycin

Maximum dose: 30 mg basis / day

HIV-infected adolescents: 15 to 30 mg basic (26.3-52.6 mg salt) orally once a day with clindamycin
Duration of therapy: 21 days

In what dosage is primaquine available?

26.3 mg tablets (= 15 mg base)

Primaquine side effects

What side effects can primaquine have?

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not mentioned above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Primaquine Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using primaquine?

Before using a particular medication, consider the risks and benefits first, which is a decision you and your doctor should make. For this drug, pay attention to the following:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have any unusual or allergic reactions to this or any other medicine. Also tell your doctor if you have any other types of allergies such as to food, coloring, preservatives, or animal allergies. For over-the-counter products, read the labels on the packaging carefully.

Children

Children should avoid traveling to areas with malaria, unless they are taking an effective antimalarial drug such as primaquine.

Elderly

Many drugs have not been studied specifically for the elderly. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in the elderly. There is no specific information comparing the use of primaquine in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Is primaquine safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is not yet sufficient information about the safety of using this medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

Primaquine Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with primaquine?

It is not recommended to use this medicine with any of the following medicines. Your doctor may decide not to give you this drug or change some of the other drugs you are taking.

• Aurothioglucose
• Levomethadyl

Can food or alcohol interact with primaquine?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with primaquine?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• family or personal history of favism disease or hemolytic anemia
• glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
• Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) methemoglobin reductase deficiency - Patients with any of these medical problems and taking primaquine may have an increased chance of side effects that can affect the blood.

Primaquine overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.