Primaquine for malaria

Examples

Generic Name	Brand Name
primaquine phosphate	Primaquine

How It Works

Primaquine phosphate kills parasites in the blood that cause malaria.

You take primaquine phosphate as a pill (orally).

To prevent relapses of malaria due to parasites that persist in the liver, you take this medication daily for 14 to 21 days.

To treat malaria, you take primaquine phosphate either alone or with another medicine once a day for 14 days.

Why It Is Used

People take primaquine phosphate to kill malaria parasites that may persist in the liver. It is generally only used for people with exposure to or known infection with Plasmodium (P.) vivax and P. ovale.

To prevent relapses of infections caused by P. ovale or P. malariae parasites, you should take primaquine phosphate after you leave the area where these parasites are present.

How Well It Works

Primaquine phosphate is most effective for preventing relapses of P. vivax and/or P. ovale.

Side Effects

Side effects of primaquine include:

• Destruction of blood cells (hemolysis) in people who have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, a birth defect that in combination with certain prescribed medications may result in a breakdown of red blood cells.
• Nausea and stomach pain.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

You should have a test for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency before taking primaquine phosphate.

Do not use primaquine phosphate if you are pregnant.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS Carrie Henley	Last Updated: July 26, 2007
Medical Review:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
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