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Unsupervised primaquine treatment
Primaquine is an 8-aminoquinoline antimalarial that eliminates malaria parasites by generating reactive oxygen species that damage parasite DNA and mitochondria.
Primaquine is an 8-aminoquinoline antimalarial that eliminates malaria parasites by generating reactive oxygen species that damage parasite DNA and mitochondria. Used for Malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax or Plasmodium ovale (radical cure and relapse prevention), Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum (gametocytocidal activity).
At a glance
| Generic name | Unsupervised primaquine treatment |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Menzies School of Health Research |
| Drug class | 8-aminoquinoline antimalarial |
| Target | Malaria parasite mitochondria and DNA (indirect via oxidative stress) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Infectious Disease |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Primaquine acts as a prodrug that is metabolized in the liver to active metabolites capable of generating free radicals within malaria parasites. These reactive oxygen species cause oxidative damage to parasite DNA, proteins, and organelles, leading to parasite death. It is particularly effective against hypnozoites (dormant liver stages) of P. vivax and P. ovale, making it the only widely available drug that can prevent relapse malaria.
Approved indications
- Malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax or Plasmodium ovale (radical cure and relapse prevention)
- Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum (gametocytocidal activity)
Common side effects
- Hemolytic anemia (in G6PD-deficient patients)
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Methemoglobinemia
- Headache
Key clinical trials
- Study to Evaluate Primaquine for Radical Cure of Uncomplicated Plasmodium Vivax Malaria in Children (PHASE2)
- Effectiveness of Novel Approaches to Radical Cure With Tafenoquine and Primaquine (PHASE3)
- Efficacy of 3 Regimens of Chloroquine and Primaquine for Treatment of P. Vivax Malaria, Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil (NA)
- A Randomized Controlled Trial on Malaria Primaquine Treatment in Timika, Indonesia (TRIPI) (PHASE4)
- A Trial on Supervised Primaquine Use in Ethiopia (PHASE4)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
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