Drug interactions
Deferiprone + Primaquine
Severity: Major
Deferiprone and Primaquine: major interaction.
Last updated Sources: Health Canada product monograph
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
Deferiprone can cause neutropenia and agranulocytosis, and primaquine can cause hematologic toxicity such as leukopenia and hemolysis, especially in G6PD deficiency. Together they may raise the risk of serious blood dyscrasias.
What this interaction means in plain words
Deferiprone 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.
Deferiprone belongs to Miscellaneous; Primaquine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Additive myelotoxic and hematologic adverse effects; this is a pharmacodynamic overlap.
What to do
Avoid the combination if an alternative antimalarial exists. If it cannot be avoided, check the absolute neutrophil count more often than the routine deferiprone schedule and confirm G6PD status before primaquine.
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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References
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 Deferiprone
- Clozapine + Deferiprone Contraindicated
- Abemaciclib + Deferiprone Major
- Acalabrutinib + Deferiprone Major
- Ado-trastuzumab emtansine + Deferiprone Major
- Ado-trastuzumab + Deferiprone Major
- Aldesleukin + Deferiprone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Deferiprone with Primaquine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Deferiprone 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. Deferiprone can cause neutropenia and agranulocytosis, and primaquine can cause hematologic toxicity such as leukopenia and hemolysis, especially in G6PD deficiency. Together they may raise the risk of serious blood dyscrasias.
How serious is the interaction between Deferiprone 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: Avoid the combination if an alternative antimalarial exists. If it cannot be avoided, check the absolute neutrophil count more often than the routine deferiprone schedule and confirm G6PD status before primaquine.
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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