Pyrimethamine
Description
Pyrimethamine is an antiprotozoal medicine which is used to prevent malaria and also to treat infections caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Pyrimethamine
- Black or tarry stools
- Vomiting
- Skin rash
- Blood in urine or stools
- Dizziness
- Fever or chills
- Lower back or side pain
- Difficult or painful urination
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of skin
Uses of Pyrimethamine
What is it prescribed for?
- Toxoplasmosis
- Pneumocystis Pneumonia Prophylaxis
- Malaria prophylaxis
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed within 1 hour of oral administration of the dose.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known allergy to pyrimethamine or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Megaloblastic or folate-deficiency anemia
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with conditions like megaloblastic or folate deficiency anemia due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
G6PD deficiency
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with G6PD deficiency due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of the clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases.
Liver impairment
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with liver impairment due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of liver function is recommended while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases.
Seizure disorders
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of seizure disorders due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of the clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases.
Kidney impairment
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with kidney impairment due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of kidney function is recommended while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases.
Folate deficiency
Use of this medicine may cause folate deficiency in some patients and hence it is advised to take folic acid supplements along with this medicine. Close monitoring of the clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases.
Missed Dose
If you are on a daily scheduled dosing regimen of this medicine, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take the double dose to make up for the missed dose. But if you miss the weekly dose of this medicine, contact your doctor or pharmacist for further instructions.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Deferiprone
Sulfadiazine
Zidovudine
Methotrexate
Proguanil
Disease interactions
Folate deficiency
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with megaloblastic anemia caused by folate deficiency due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition. It should be used with extreme caution in patients with malabsorption syndrome and who are on other folate depleting medications. Close monitoring of complete blood count and platelet counts are recommended while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take this medicine with food or exactly as advised by the doctor. Do not take in larger amounts than advised/prescribed. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects. Do not stop taking the medicine before completion of the course/without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by blocking the action of folic acid in the protozoal cell which inhibits the formation of DNA needed for its multiplication.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Miscellaneous antimalarials, Anti parasitic agents
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 18 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 18 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 18 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Cdc.gov.tw. 2018 [cited 18 December 2018]. Available from:
DailyMed - Daraprim- pyrimethamine tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2019 [cited 21 February 2019]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 21 Feb 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.