Drug Name:Primaquine
Drug Class:Antimalarial
Mechanism of Action:
  • Inhibits the development of the erythrocytic forms of the Plasmodium parasite
  • Destroys the exoerythrocytic forms of the parasite in the liver
Use:
  • Treatment of malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale
  • Prophylaxis of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum
Side Effects:
  • Gastrointestinal disturbances
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Hemolytic anemia in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
Contraindications:
  • G6PD deficiency
  • Pregnancy
  • Breastfeeding
Specialty:
  • Infectious Disease
  • Internal Medicine