PRIMAQUINE

Brand & Generic Names

PRIMAQUINE

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antiprotozoal (antimalarial)

Uses

• Treats some forms of malaria.
• Prevents relapses of some forms of malaria.
• Treats pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (used in combination with clindamycin).

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablets--take with meals or antacids to minimize stomach irritation.

When to take:
At the same time each day, according to instructions on prescription label.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose. Don't double this dose.

What drug does:
Alters the properties of DNA in malaria organisms to prevent them from multiplying.

Time lapse before drug works:
2 to 3 hours.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
None expected.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

None expected.

Common:

None expected.

Infrequent:

Dark urine; back, leg or stomach pain; appetite loss; pale skin; fever.

Rare:

Blue fingernails, lips and skin; dizziness; difficult breathing; extraordinary tired- ness; sore throat; fever.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You have G6PD* deficiency.
• You are hypersensitive to primaquene.

Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you are Black, Oriental, Asian or of Mediterranean origin.

Over age 60:
No special problems expected.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
No special problems expected.

Prolonged use:
No special problems expected.

Skin & sunlight:
No special problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No special problems expected.

Discontinuing:
No special problems expected.

Others:

• If you are Black, Asian, Oriental or of Mediterranean origin, insist on a test for G6PD* deficiency before taking this medicine.
• Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME OR	COMBINED EFFECT
Hemolytics*, other	Increased risk of serious side effects
	affecting the blood.
Quinacrine	Increased toxic effects of primaquine.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Possible liver toxicity. Avoid.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.