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]
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Related Studies
| Definition (NCI) | A synthetic, 8-aminoquinoline derivative with antimalarial properties. Although its mechanism of action is unclear, primaquine bind to and alter the properties of protozoal DNA. This agent eliminates tissue (exo-erythrocytic) malarial infection, preventing the development of the erythrocytic forms of the parasite which are responsible for relapses in Plasmodium vivax and ovale malaria. Primaquine is active against late hepatic stages (hypnozoites, schizonts). (NCI04) |
| Definition (MSH) | An aminoquinoline that is given by mouth to produce a radical cure and prevent relapse of vivax and ovale malarias following treatment with a blood schizontocide. It has also been used to prevent transmission of falciparum malaria by those returning to areas where there is a potential for re-introduction of malaria. Adverse effects include anemias and GI disturbances. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopeia, 30th ed, p404) |
| Definition (CSP) | aminoquinolone compound used as an antimalarial against the extraerythrocytic forms of Plasmodium vivax and P ovale and the gametocytes of P falciparum. |
| Concepts | Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109) |
| MSH | D011319 |
| SnomedCT | 429663004, 324904009, 387194002, 36391008 |
| English | Primaquine, 1,4-Pentanediamine, N4-(6-methoxy-8-quinolinyl)-, Primaquine (substance), Primaquine [Chemical/Ingredient], PRIMAQUINE, primaquine, Primaquine (product) |
| Swedish | Primakin |
| Czech | primachin |
| Finnish | Primakiini |
| Russian | PRIMAKVIN, ПРИМАКВИН |
| Spanish | primaquina (sustancia), primaquina (producto), primaquina, Primaquina |
| Japanese | プリマキン |
| Polish | Primachina, Plazmochina |
| French | Primaquine |
| German | Primaquin |
| Italian | Primachina |
| Portuguese | Primaquina |
