Drug interactions
Darunavir + Primaquine
Severity: Moderate
Darunavir and Primaquine: moderate 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
Primaquine is partly metabolized by CYP3A4, and darunavir (given with a booster such as ritonavir or cobicistat) strongly inhibits this enzyme. Primaquine exposure may increase, which could worsen hemolysis, methemoglobinemia or GI effects. Several of these drugs also affect QT.
What this interaction means in plain words
Darunavir and Primaquine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Darunavir belongs to Anti Virals; Primaquine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated primaquine metabolism by boosted darunavir.
What to do
Monitor for primaquine toxicity such as hemolysis, methemoglobinemia and GI intolerance, and consider ECG monitoring. Confirm G6PD status before therapy.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Primaquine
- Pimozide + Primaquine Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Primaquine Major
- Amisulpride + Primaquine Major
- Anagrelide + Primaquine Major
- Arsenic trioxide + Primaquine Major
- Asenapine + Primaquine Major
Other interactions of Darunavir
- Alfuzosin + Darunavir Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Darunavir Contraindicated
- Darunavir + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Darunavir + Eletriptan Contraindicated
- Darunavir + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Darunavir + Flibanserin Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Darunavir with Primaquine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Darunavir and Primaquine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Primaquine is partly metabolized by CYP3A4, and darunavir (given with a booster such as ritonavir or cobicistat) strongly inhibits this enzyme. Primaquine exposure may increase, which could worsen hemolysis, methemoglobinemia or GI effects. Several of these drugs also affect QT.
How serious is the interaction between Darunavir and Primaquine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for primaquine toxicity such as hemolysis, methemoglobinemia and GI intolerance, and consider ECG monitoring. Confirm G6PD status before therapy.
What other medicines interact with Primaquine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Primaquine with, for example, Pimozide, Amiodarone, Amisulpride. The full list is on the Primaquine page.
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