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MedicinerestrictedEssential

Primaquine

An antimalarial tablet used to prevent relapse of vivax malaria.

Clinical information

Common uses

  • radical cure (relapse prevention) of vivax malaria

Common side effects

  • feeling sick and vomiting
  • stomach pain and cramps
  • dizziness
  • rash and itching

Cautions

  • must not be used in severe G6PD deficiency — haemolytic anaemia
  • contraindicated in pregnancy
  • pregnancy test needed before starting in women who could conceive

Interactions

  • quinacrine — must not be combined
  • avoid haemolytic or methaemoglobinaemia-inducing drugs
  • QT-prolonging drugs — close ECG monitoring advised
  • strong CYP2D6 inhibitors — may reduce antimalarial effect
  • MAO-A inhibitors — may increase side effects
  • digoxin and dabigatran — levels may rise

Pregnancy: avoid — contraindicated in pregnancy

Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: DailyMed, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov, primaquine phosphate label, setid 3f16166d-678e-51aa-e054-00144ff88e88 (accessed 2026-08-16)

Approved brands & formulations2

Brand nameDosage formStrengthImporterCategory
PrimaquineTablet15mgrestricted
PrimaquineTablet7.5 mgrestricted
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