II. Indications
- Malaria Prophylaxis in regions with Plasmodium Vivax transmission
III. Contraindications
-
G6PD Deficiency
- Results in acute Hemolysis
IV. Mechanism
V. Medications
- Primaquine Phosphate Tablets 15 mg base (26.3 mg salt)
- Base 0.57 mg = Salt 1 mg
-
General
- May take with or without food
- Take with food to reduce gastric irritation
VI. Dosing: P. Vivax or P. Ovale Malaria Prophylaxis
- Start 1-2 days before travel and continue until 7 days after return (14 days after an extended stay)
- Adult: 30 mg base (52.6 mg salt) daily
- Child: 0.5 mg/kg up to 30 mg base (0.8 mg/kg up to 52.6 mg salt)
VII. Dosing: P. Vivax or P. Ovale Malaria Treatment
- Follows primary treatment to reduce risk of relapsing infection
- Adult: 30 mg base (52.6 mg salt) orally daily for 14 days after initial course
- Child: 0.5 mg/kg base up to 30 mg/day (0.8 mg/kg salt) orally daily for 14 days after initial course
VIII. Adverse Effects
- Gastrointestinal (esp. on an empty Stomach, take with food)
- Other
IX. Safety
- Considered safe in Lactation
- Pregnancy Category X
- Avoid in all trimesters of pregnancy
- Use Contraception while taking Primaquine
- Safe in children age >1 month old (not with G6PD Deficiency)
- Not recommended in Malaria Prophylaxis in treatment
X. Resources
XI. References
- (2019) Drugs for Malaria Prophylaxis, Med Lett Drugs Ther, p. e104-5
- (2023) Presc Lett, Malaria Prophylaxis, Resource #350806
- Sanford (2016) Am Fam Physician 94(8): 620-7 [PubMed]