Drug interactions
Primaquine + Zidovudine
Severity: Moderate
Primaquine and Zidovudine: 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 can cause hemolysis, particularly in G6PD deficiency, and can occasionally suppress marrow, while zidovudine causes anemia and neutropenia. Together they may increase the risk of hematologic toxicity.
What this interaction means in plain words
Primaquine and Zidovudine 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; Zidovudine belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Additive hematologic toxicity: primaquine-related hemolysis and marrow effects combined with zidovudine myelosuppression.
What to do
Check G6PD status before primaquine, and monitor hemoglobin and white cell counts during combined use. Stop or change therapy if significant anemia or hemolysis occurs.
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 Zidovudine
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Zidovudine Contraindicated
- Stavudine + Zidovudine Contraindicated
- Atidarsagene autotemcel + Zidovudine Major
- Betibeglogene autotemcel + Zidovudine Major
- Carboplatin + Zidovudine Major
- Cisplatin + Zidovudine Major
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 Zidovudine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Primaquine and Zidovudine 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 can cause hemolysis, particularly in G6PD deficiency, and can occasionally suppress marrow, while zidovudine causes anemia and neutropenia. Together they may increase the risk of hematologic toxicity.
How serious is the interaction between Primaquine and Zidovudine?
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 primaquine, and monitor hemoglobin and white cell counts during combined use. Stop or change therapy if significant anemia or hemolysis occurs.
What other medicines interact with Zidovudine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Zidovudine with, for example, Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df, Stavudine, Atidarsagene autotemcel. The full list is on the Zidovudine page.
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