Pyrimethamine

What is the most important information I should know about pyrimethamine?

Stop taking pyrimethamine and seek medical attention at the first sign of a skin rash, sore throat, paleness of the skin, unusual bruising under the skin, or swelling of the tongue. These may be early symptoms of serious side effects of pyrimethamine.

Pyrimethamine may cause stomach upset or vomiting. Take each dose with food to lessen this side effect.

What is pyrimethamine?

Pyrimethamine is an antiparasitic drug. It prevents the growth and reproduction of parasites.

Pyrimethamine is used to treat and prevent malaria. Pyrimethamine is also used in the treatment of toxoplasmosis.

Pyrimethamine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking pyrimethamine?

Before taking pyrimethamine, tell your doctor if you have

• had an allergic reaction to previous treatment with pyrimethamine,
• megaloblastic anemia due to folate deficiency,
• seizures or epilepsy,
• kidney disease, or
• liver disease.

You may not be able to take pyrimethamine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Pyrimethamine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether pyrimethamine will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take pyrimethamine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

Pyrimethamine passes into breast milk and may be harmful to a nursing infant. Do not take pyrimethamine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take pyrimethamine?

Take pyrimethamine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Take pyrimethamine with food to lessen stomach upset.

Store pyrimethamine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of the medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a pyrimethamine overdose may include abdominal pain, nausea, severe vomiting (possibly with blood in the vomit), anxiety or excitability, and seizures.

What should I avoid while taking pyrimethamine?

There are no restrictions on foods, beverages, or activities during treatment with pyrimethamine unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What are the possible side effects of pyrimethamine?

Stop taking pyrimethamine and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; or hives) during treatment with pyrimethamine.

Stop taking pyrimethamine and seek medical attention at the first sign of a skin rash, sore throat, paleness of the skin, unusual bruising under the skin, or swelling of the tongue. These may be early symptoms of serious side effects of pyrimethamine.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take pyrimethamine and talk to your doctor if you experience

• nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite;
• insomnia;
• headache;
• lightheadedness; or
• dryness of the mouth.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect pyrimethamine?

Before taking pyrimethamine, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• auranofin (Ridaura);
• aurothioglucose (Solganal); or
• or gold sodium thiomalate (Aurolate, Myochrysine).

You may not be able to take pyrimethamine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with pyrimethamine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has more information about pyrimethamine written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Pyrimethamine is available with a prescription under the brand name Daraprim in 25 mg tablets. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2003 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.03. Revision date: 2/13/04.