Primaquine is a medication to treat or prevent malaria, a disease caused by parasites. primaquine works by interfering with the growth of parasites in the body.

Parasites that cause malaria typically enter the body through the bite of a mosquito. Malaria is common in areas such as Africa, South America, and Southern Asia.

Vivax malaria is a form of malaria in which parasites travel from the bloodstream into other cells and tissues of the body. This can cause a second infection (relapse) to occur.

Primaquine is used to prevent malaria from coming back in people who have been infected with the vivax form of this disease.

Primaquine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use primaquine if you have an autoimmune disorder, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, or if you also use quinacrine (Atabrine).

Primaquine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day for 14 days. Take primaquine at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take primaquine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often or for a longer period of time than prescribed by your doctor.

Take primaquine until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop taking primaquine too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

The usual dose of primaquine is 1 tablet daily for 14 days.

Take primaquine for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. If you are taking this medicine to treat malaria, your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated.

Talk to your doctor if you stop taking this medicine early for any reason.

No medicine is 100% effective in treating or preventing malaria. For best results, keep taking primaquine as directed.

Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you have been exposed to malaria, or if you have fever or other symptoms of illness during or after a stay in an area where malaria is common.

In addition to taking primaquine, use protective clothing, insect repellents, and mosquito netting around your bed to further prevent mosquito bites that could cause malaria.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

You should not use primaquine if you are allergic to it, or if:

• you have an autoimmune disorder, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis; or

• you are pregnant or may become pregnant; or

• you have recently used another malaria medicine called quinacrine or Atabrine.

To make sure primaquine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• a genetic enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency;

• heart disease, heart rhythm disorder (including slow heartbeats);

• long QT syndrome;

• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood);

• a personal or family history of becoming ill after eating fava beans; or

• if you are of a certain ethnic background (Southern Europe, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, African, Southeast Asian, Oceanic).

Primaquine can harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using primaquine, whether you are a man or a woman. Men should use condoms. Primaquine use by either parent may cause birth defects.

If you are a woman, keep using birth control after you stop taking primaquine, until you have at least one menstrual period. If you are a man, keep using condoms for at least 3 months after your last dose. Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using primaquine.

It is not known whether primaquine passes into breast milk or if it could affect the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include vomiting, heartburn, stomach cramps, weakness, pale skin, and blue lips or fingernails.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

primaquine may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking primaquine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• fever;

• dark colored urine;

• pale or yellowed skin; or

• confusion or weakness.

Common side effects of primaquine may include:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps;

• irregular heartbeats;

• rash; or

• dizziness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Primaquine can cause a serious heart problem, especially if you use certain medicines at the same time, including antibiotics, antidepressants, heart rhythm medicine, antipsychotic medicines, and medicines to treat cancer, malaria, HIV or AIDS. Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with primaquine.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with primaquine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to primaquine.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking primaquine.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.