Primaquine

Primaquine is a tablet-form antibiotic that is sometimes used in combination with clindamycin as a treatment for Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). It is also used for treating malaria.

The most common side-effects are gastrointestinal such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Black people who have a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency a condition that affects about 10% of Black Americans and is even more common in Africans and people of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern origin are susceptible to anaemia caused by the destruction of blood cells.

Primaquine is available as a generic (non-brandname) product.

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This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.