Daraprim

Daraprim (pyrimethamine) is an antiparasitic drug used to treat and prevent malaria, and is also used in the treatment of toxoplasmosis. Common side effects of Daraprim include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• loss of appetite,
• insomnia,
• headache,
• lightheadedness, or
• dry mouth.

Some people using Daraprim may develop serious side effects including blood problems, especially at higher doses. Tell your doctor if you have symptoms of blood problems including: easy bruising or bleeding, signs of serious infection (such as high fever, severe chills, persistent sore throat), signs of low red blood cell count (such as severe tiredness, pale lips/nails/skin, fast heartbeat/breathing with usual activities), or swollen or painful tongue.

The adult starting dose of Daraprim to treat toxoplasmosis is 50 to 75 mg daily, taken with 1 to 4 g daily of a sulfonamide of the sulfapyrimidine type. Pediatric dose to treat toxoplasmosis is determined by the child's weight. The adult dosage for acute malaria is 50 mg for 2 days; children 4 through 10 years old may be given 25 mg daily for 2 days. Daraprim may interact with auranofin, aurothioglucose, or gold sodium thiomalate. Tell your doctor all medications you use. During pregnancy, Daraprim should be used only when prescribed. Folic acid is very important during pregnancy. Your doctor will prescribe folic/folinic acid to prevent low folate levels. This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Our Daraprim (pyrimethamine) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

 

Daraprim Consumer Information

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using pyrimethamine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• sore throat, swelling in your tongue;
• pale skin, easy bruising, purple spots under your skin;
• the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;
• blood in your urine;
• fever, cold or flu symptoms;
• new or worsening cough, fever, trouble breathing;
• irregular heartbeats;
• signs of folate deficiency--unusual tiredness, mood changes, feeling sick, mouth sores, stomach discomfort, loss of appetite;
• severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects may include:

• vomiting; or
• loss of appetite.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the entire detailed patient monograph for Daraprim (Pyrimethamine)

 

Daraprim Professional Information

SIDE EFFECTS

Hypersensitivity reactions, occasionally severe (such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme, and anaphylaxis), and hyperphenylalaninemia, can occur particularly when pyrimethamine is administered concomitantly with a sulfonamide. Consult the complete prescribing information for the relevant sulfonamide for sulfonamideassociated adverse events. With doses of pyrimethamine used for the treatment of toxoplasmosis, anorexia and vomiting may occur. Vomiting may be minimized by giving the medication with meals; it usually disappears promptly upon reduction of dosage. Doses used in toxoplasmosis may produce megaloblastic anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, neutropenia, atrophic glossitis, hematuria, and disorders of cardiac rhythm.

Hematologic effects, however, may also occur at low doses in certain individuals (see PRECAUTIONS; General). Pulmonary eosinophilia has been reported rarely.

Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Daraprim (Pyrimethamine)