8-aminoquinoline antimalarial indicated for the radical cure (prevention of relapse) of Plasmodium vivax malaria.
Also known as: Primaquina fosfato
DailyMed approved label (Primaquine Phosphate Tablet; setID 3f16166d-678e-51aa-e054-00144ff88e88).
DailyMed approved label (Primaquine Phosphate Tablet; setID 3f16166d-678e-51aa-e054-00144ff88e88).
No documented drug–drug interactions for this medicine.
Alcohol may worsen the gastrointestinal effects of primaquine; limit intake during treatment.
Limit alcohol intake during treatment.
DailyMed/FDA (NIH/NLM) — approved Primaquine label: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3f16166d-678e-51aa-e054-00144ff88e88
Primaquine can be taken with or without food; taking with food reduces gastrointestinal discomfort.
Take with food if gastric discomfort occurs.
DailyMed/FDA (NIH/NLM) — approved Primaquine label: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3f16166d-678e-51aa-e054-00144ff88e88
Primaquine can cause methaemoglobinaemia, especially at high doses or in patients with methaemoglobin reductase deficiency.
Monitor for cyanosis, headache and dyspnoea; stop with methaemoglobinaemia.
DailyMed/FDA (NIH/NLM) — approved Primaquine label: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3f16166d-678e-51aa-e054-00144ff88e88
Primaquine causes severe haemolysis in patients with G6PD deficiency; it is contraindicated without prior screening for the deficiency.
Screen for G6PD before prescribing; contraindicated in deficiency or unknown status.
DailyMed/FDA (NIH/NLM) — approved Primaquine label: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3f16166d-678e-51aa-e054-00144ff88e88
Primaquine is contraindicated in pregnancy: the fetal G6PD status is unknown and there is a risk of severe fetal haemolysis.
Contraindicated in pregnancy; postpone radical cure (hypnozoite eradication) until after delivery.
Excreted into breast milk; contraindicated in breastfeeding if the infant is G6PD deficient or of unknown status.
No specific additional contraception.
DailyMed/FDA (NIH/NLM) — approved Primaquine label: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3f16166d-678e-51aa-e054-00144ff88e88
Clinical and educational support tool. The information does not replace a medical prescription or the opinion of a qualified healthcare professional.
8-aminoquinoline antimalarial active against liver hypnozoites of P. vivax and exoerythrocytic stages, preventing relapses; also active against gametocytes of P. falciparum. Activity probably depends on hydroxylated metabolites generated intrahepatically by CYP2D6.
Inhibition of the mitochondrial system of dormant parasites and oxidative stress through reactive metabolites in infected cells; active metabolites depend on CYP2D6.
Well absorbed orally; Cmax and AUC increase approximately dose-proportionally over 15 to 45 mg.
Extensively metabolized (including carboxyprimaquine, the main circulating inactive metabolite); renal and metabolic excretion; metabolites depend on CYP2D6 polymorphisms.
Elimination half-life of ~4–6 hours (shorter in CYP2D6 rapid metabolizers; increased in poor metabolizers, with higher hemolysis risk and elevated levels).
Medicines from the same therapeutic group (ATC classification) or the same pharmacological class.
