Pyrimethamine (Daraprim)

Category:

  • Antiparasitic

  Description:

  • Folic acid antagonist

  Indications:

  • Toxoplasmosis

  • Malaria prophylaxis

  Contraindications:

  • Documented megaloblastic anemia due to folate deficiency.

  Precautions:

  • Pregnancy category C

  • Perform semi-weekly blood counts, to include platelets.

  • G-6-PD patients may precipitate the development of hemolytic anemia.

  • May cause a rash to develop.

  Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

  • Cardiovascular changes, such as rhythm changes, may occur at large doses

  • Gastrointestinal upset (vomiting and anorexia) may occur at large doses

Dosage:

Administered orally

Toxoplasmosis:

Adult:

  • 50-75mg every day given with 1-4 grams of a sulfonamide antibiotic of the sulfapyrimidine class (sulfisoxazole or sulfmethoxazole) for 1-3 weeks

Pediatric:

  • 1mg/kg/day in 2 equal does for 2-4 days, then decrease to 05mg/kg/day for 1 month 

Infused over 1 hour, every 8 hours for 7 days.

Malaria Prophylaxis:

  • Adults and Children >10 years old: 25mg once every week

  • Children 4-10 years old: 12.5mg once every week

  • Children <4 years old: 6.25mg once every week

 

Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300  

Gynecology and Obstetrics CD-ROM
Volumes 1-6
2004 Edition
 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
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