Formulary
Primaquine: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Primaquine clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Primaquine: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Primaquine clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Adjunct in the treatment of non-falciparum malaria caused byPlasmodium vivaxinfection**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): Adjunct in the treatment of non-falciparum malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax infection 30 mg daily for 14 days.
**Adjunct in the treatment of non-falciparum malaria caused byPlasmodium ovaleinfection**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): Adjunct in the treatment of non-falciparum malaria caused by Plasmodium ovale infection 15 mg daily for 14 days.
**Adjunct in the treatment of non-falciparum malaria caused byPlasmodium vivaxinfection in patients with mild G6PD deficiency (administered on expert advice),Adjunct in the treatment of non-falciparum malaria caused byPlasmodium ovaleinfection in patients with mild G6PD deficiency (administered on expert advice)**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): Adjunct in the treatment of non-falciparum malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax infection in patients with mild G6PD deficiency (administered on expert advice), Adjunct in the treatment of non-falciparum malaria caused by Plasmodium ovale infection in patients with mild G6PD deficiency (administered on expert advice) 45 mg once weekly for 8 weeks.
**Treatment of mild to moderate pneumocystis infection (in combination with clindamycin)**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 30 mg daily.
**Adjunct in the treatment of non-falciparum malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax infection for primaquine**
- **Child 6 months-17 years** (By mouth): 500 micrograms/kg daily (max. per dose 30 mg) for 14 days.
**Adjunct in the treatment of non-falciparum malaria caused by Plasmodium ovale infection for primaquine**
- **Child 6 months-17 years** (By mouth): 250 micrograms/kg daily (max. per dose 15 mg) for 14 days.
**Adjunct in the treatment of non-falciparum malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax infection in patients with mild G6PD deficiency (administered on expert advice), Adjunct in the treatment of non-falciparum malaria caused by Plasmodium ovale infection in patients with mild G6PD deficiency (administered on expert advice) for primaquine**
- **Child** (By mouth): 750 micrograms/kg once weekly for 8 weeks; maximum 45 mg per week.
**Treatment of mild to moderate pneumocystis infection (in combination with clindamycin) for primaquine**
- **Child** (By mouth): (consult product literature).
Cautions
G6PD deficiency; systemic diseases associated with granulocytopenia (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus)
Side effects
Frequency not known Arrhythmia; dizziness; gastrointestinal discomfort; haemolytic anaemia (in G6PD deficiency); leucopenia; methaemoglobinaemia (in NADH methaemoglobin reductase deficiency); nausea; QT interval prolongation; skin reactions; vomiting
Interactions
**Other interactions (1):**
- There is a decrease in plasma concentrations of primaquine.
Pregnancy
Risk of neonatal haemolysis and methaemoglobinaemia in third trimester.
Breast feeding
No information available; theoretical risk of haemolysis in G6PD-deficient infants.
Medicinal forms
Tablet
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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