PYRIMETHAMINE

Pyrimethamine is an antiparasitic medication classified as an antiprotozoal agent. The generic form of pyrimethamine was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in February 2020 for the treatment of toxoplasmosis, typically in combination with other antibiotics.

Pyrimethamine is available as a tablet. It is used in combination with other antibiotics to treat blood infections caused by a parasite called toxoplasma. These infections can affect the brain and other parts of the body if your immune system is poor. This can be caused due to AIDS or HIV infection. It is also used to treat malarial infections.

It is an orally available prescription drug. It is an orally available prescription drug. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of pyrimethamine based on the disease condition and other factors such as body weight and age. Always take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Take the tablet at the same time, with or without food. Do not break, chew, crush, or break the tablet. Swallow the whole tablet with a glass of water.

The common side effects of pyrimethamine are nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and skin rash. Other serious side effects include severe skin reactions, and low platelet counts.

This drug is indicated to cause severe anemia. Routine blood tests will be taken to monitor your complete blood counts. This medicine may cause a severe skin rash. Inform your physician if you develop any rashes, redness, or swelling in the skin after taking pyrimethamine. This medicine is not intended for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Do not take pyrimethamine if you are allergic to pyrimethamine or any of the other ingredients or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. This tablet is not recommended in children under five years of age. Inform your physician if you have kidney or liver problems, anemia, and seizures. This medicine will always be given to you with a vitamin supplement. Do not forget to take your vitamin supplements. Inform your healthcare provider about all your medicines, including prescription, over-the-counter, nutritional, and supplements and herbal products. Certain medications interact with pyrimethamine and reduce its effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects.

Store pyrimethamine below 30°C. Protect from light and excessive moisture. Keep out of reach of children and pets. If a dose is missed, take the next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take a double dose to compensate for a missed dose. Complete the full course of therapy even if symptoms improve after the first few doses. Do not take extra doses or attempt to make up for a missed dose. Inform your doctor if you consume alcohol. This medicine may increase bleeding, bruising, or susceptibility to infections. Take precautions to prevent illness. Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take this medicine with food to reduce nausea and vomiting. Do not discontinue or alter the dose without consulting your doctor. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

Daraprim Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). www.medicines.org.uk. Published February 2023. Accessed May 9, 2023. http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/938/smpc DARAPRIM ® (Pyrimethamine) 25-Mg Scored Tablets. Accessed May 9, 2023. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2003/08578slr016_daraprim_lbl.pdf Philip J. Rosenthal, Antiprotozoal Drugs, Lange’s Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 14th Edition, 2018, 917-937. D.H. Dockrell, S. Sundar, B.J. Angus, R.P. Hobson, Infectious disease, Davidson’s Principles and Practice of Medicine, 22nd Edition, 2014, 293-386.