Primaquine

Category:

• Antimalarial

Description:

• 8-aminoquinoline, related to 4- aminoquinoline

Indications:

• · P. vivax malaria treatment

Contraindications:

• Concomitant administration of quinacrine

• Concomitant administration of poitentially hemolytic or bone marrow suppressive medications

Precautions:

• Pregnancy category C

• Patients suffering from P. vivax malaria should receive chloroquine which quickly destroys erythrocytic parasites and terminates paroxysm.  Primaquine destroys exoerythrocytic parasites.

• Anemia or methemoglobinemia with large doses

• Do not exceed recommended doses

• Perform routine blood counts and hemoglobin determinations during therapy

• Report signs of “chinconism” (tinnitis, headache, nausea, vision changes)

• Dosages expressed in form of Primaquine base:

  • Primaquine Phosphate 26.3mg = Primaquine base 15mg

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

• Gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, epigastric distress, cramping

• Hematologic: leukopenia, hemolytic anmeia in patient with G-6-PD deficiency

Dosage:

• Administered orally

• Dosages listed in Primaquine base strength (PB)

• Begin therapy during last two weeks of, or following a course of, suppression with Chloroquine or comparable medication

• Malaria treatment:

  • Adult: 315mg PB every day for 14 days

  • Child: (dosed per weight): 0.3mg/kg/day PB every day for 14 days