Drug interactions
Primaquine + Voxelotor
Severity: Moderate
Primaquine and Voxelotor: 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
Voxelotor inhibits CYP3A4 and may increase exposure to primaquine, though CYP3A4 is only one of primaquine's metabolic routes. Raised levels could increase hemolysis, methemoglobinemia or gastrointestinal effects, and voxelotor is itself used in sickle cell disease where hemolysis is relevant.
What this interaction means in plain words
Primaquine and Voxelotor 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 belongs to Anti Parasitic; Voxelotor belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Voxelotor inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated primaquine metabolism.
What to do
Confirm G6PD status before primaquine and monitor hemoglobin and clinical signs of hemolysis. Consider lowering the primaquine dose or choosing another agent if adverse effects occur.
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 Voxelotor
- Amobarbital + Voxelotor Major
- Apalutamide + Voxelotor Major
- Carbamazepine + Voxelotor Major
- Cyclosporin + Voxelotor Major
- Efavirenz + Voxelotor Major
- Enzalutamide + Voxelotor Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Primaquine with Voxelotor?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Primaquine and Voxelotor 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. Voxelotor inhibits CYP3A4 and may increase exposure to primaquine, though CYP3A4 is only one of primaquine's metabolic routes. Raised levels could increase hemolysis, methemoglobinemia or gastrointestinal effects, and voxelotor is itself used in sickle cell disease where hemolysis is relevant.
How serious is the interaction between Primaquine and Voxelotor?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Confirm G6PD status before primaquine and monitor hemoglobin and clinical signs of hemolysis. Consider lowering the primaquine dose or choosing another agent if adverse effects occur.
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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