Drug interactions
Dapsone + Primaquine
Severity: Major
Dapsone and Primaquine: major interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both dapsone and primaquine are oxidant drugs that can cause hemolytic anemia in G6PD deficiency and methemoglobinemia in other patients. Together the oxidative stress is additive, and the risk of hemolysis is higher.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dapsone and Primaquine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Dapsone belongs to Anti Bacterial; Primaquine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Additive oxidative stress on red blood cells from the hydroxylamine metabolites of dapsone and primaquine.
What to do
Test G6PD status before using either drug and avoid the combination in G6PD-deficient patients. If both are needed, monitor hemoglobin, methemoglobin and signs of hemolysis closely.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Dapsone
- Bcg vaccine live + Dapsone Major
- Apalutamide + Dapsone Moderate
- Belzutifan + Dapsone Moderate
- Bosentan + Dapsone Moderate
- Bupivacaine implant + Dapsone Moderate
- Carbamazepine + Dapsone Moderate
Other interactions of Primaquine
- Pimozide + Primaquine Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Primaquine Major
- Amisulpride + Primaquine Major
- Anagrelide + Primaquine Major
- Arsenic trioxide + Primaquine Major
- Asenapine + Primaquine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Dapsone with Primaquine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Dapsone and Primaquine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Both dapsone and primaquine are oxidant drugs that can cause hemolytic anemia in G6PD deficiency and methemoglobinemia in other patients. Together the oxidative stress is additive, and the risk of hemolysis is higher.
How serious is the interaction between Dapsone and Primaquine?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Test G6PD status before using either drug and avoid the combination in G6PD-deficient patients. If both are needed, monitor hemoglobin, methemoglobin and signs of hemolysis closely.
What other medicines interact with Dapsone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Dapsone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Apalutamide, Belzutifan. The full list is on the Dapsone page.
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