Primaquine tablets

What is this medicine?

PRIMAQUINE (PRIM a kwin) is used to treat or prevent malaria infections.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• dark urine

• hallucination, loss of contact with reality

• feeling faint or lightheaded

• fever or infection

• numbness, tingling

• pale, discolored skin

• seizures

• signs and symptoms of a dangerous change in heartbeat or heart rhythm like chest pain; dizziness; fast or irregular heartbeat; palpitations; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls; breathing problems

• unusual bleeding or bruising

• unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• nausea, vomiting

• stomach cramps, pain

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• cisapride

• dofetilide

• dronedarone

• pimozide

• quinacrine

• thioridazine

• ziprasidone

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• grapefruit juice

• other medicines that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal heart rhythm)

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• anemia or other blood disorders

• diabetes

• glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency

• heart disease

• high blood pressure

• history of irregular heartbeat

• if you drink alcohol

• low levels of magnesium in the blood

• low levels of potassium in the blood

• lupus

• malnutrition

• rheumatoid arthritis

• thyroid disease

• an unusual or allergic reaction to primaquine, chloroquine, iodoquinol, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better in a few days. If you are taking this medicine for a long time, visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks. If you notice any changes in your vision see your eye doctor for an eye exam.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

While in areas where malaria is common, you should take steps to prevent being bit by mosquitos. This includes staying in air-conditioned or well-screened rooms to reduce human-mosquito contact, sleep under mosquito netting, preferably one with pyrethrum-containing insecticide, wear long-sleeved shirts or blouses and long trousers to protect arms and legs, apply mosquito repellents containing DEET to uncovered areas of skin, and use a pyrethrum-containing flying insect spray to kill mosquitos.

If your urine becomes a dark color, tell your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can.