Drug interactions
Primaquine + Sulfisoxazole
Severity: Moderate
Primaquine and Sulfisoxazole: 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
Both primaquine and sulfisoxazole can provoke oxidative hemolysis in patients with G6PD deficiency. Using them together may add to the risk of acute hemolytic anemia in susceptible patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Primaquine and Sulfisoxazole 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.
Why it happens
Additive oxidative stress on red blood cells that lack adequate G6PD-dependent glutathione protection.
What to do
Check G6PD status before starting primaquine and avoid the combination in deficient patients unless there is no alternative. If used, monitor hemoglobin, urine colour and signs of hemolysis.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Primaquine with Sulfisoxazole?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Primaquine and Sulfisoxazole 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. Both primaquine and sulfisoxazole can provoke oxidative hemolysis in patients with G6PD deficiency. Using them together may add to the risk of acute hemolytic anemia in susceptible patients.
How serious is the interaction between Primaquine and Sulfisoxazole?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check G6PD status before starting primaquine and avoid the combination in deficient patients unless there is no alternative. If used, monitor hemoglobin, urine colour and signs of hemolysis.
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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