Primaquine

What is primaquine?

Primaquine is used with other medicines to treat malaria.

How should you give your child primaquine?

Follow these instructions when giving your child primaquine:

• Give your child primaquine regularly, for as long as your doctor or pharmacist tells you to, even if your child seems well. Avoid missing doses by giving your child the medicine at the same time each day.
• Give your child primaquine with food, to reduce the chance of an upset stomach.
• Give your child primaquine with the special spoon or syringe your pharmacist gave you, if your child is taking the liquid form of primaquine. Shake the bottle well before you give your child the medicine.

What should you do if your child misses a dose of primaquine?

If your child misses a dose of primaquine:

• Give your child the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Give your child the next dose at the regular time.
• If your child misses two or more doses in a row, call your child's doctor.

What are the possible side effects of primaquine?

Your child may have some side effects while they take primaquine. Usually your child will not need to see the doctor about them. These side effects may go away as your child's body gets used to primaquine.

Call your child's doctor if your child has any of these signs or symptoms and they do not go away or they bother your child:

• upset stomach, throwing up
• stomach cramps
• headache

Call your doctor right away if your child has any of these signs:

• dark urine
• skin rash
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• loss of appetite
• back, leg, or stomach pains
• unexplained fever
• dizziness, lightheadedness
• difficulty breathing
• blue colour of fingernails, lips, or skin
• changes in vision
• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat

What other important information should you know about primaquine?

• Tell your doctor if your child has ever had any blood problems, especially if your child has the blood condition G-6-PD deficiency.
• A pharmacy must make liquid primaquine. Make sure that your pharmacy is able to do this.
• Make sure you always have enough primaquine to last through weekends, holidays, and vacations. Call your pharmacy at least 2 days before your child runs out of medicine to order refills.
• Store primaquine in a cool, dark place away from light. Store liquid primaquine in the refrigerator.
• Throw away any primaquine that you have not used. Throw away any primaquine that is out of date.
  

Keep primaquine out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much primaquine, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.