Examples

Generic Name	Brand Name
primaquine	Primaquine

How It Works

Primaquine kills parasites in the blood that cause malaria.

You take primaquine as a pill (orally).

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

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

Why It Is Used

People take primaquine 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 after you leave the area where these parasites are present.

How Well It Works

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

Side Effects

Side effects of primaquine include:

• Anemia .
• Destruction of blood cells (hemolysis) in people who have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, a birth defect that in combination with certain prescribed medicines 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.

Do not use primaquine if you are pregnant.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.