Availability & Expiry
INTRODUCTION
MALIRID contains Primaquine which belongs to the group of medicines called Antimalarial drugs. It is used to treat malarial infections and to prevent its relapse. Malaria is a parasitic infection caused due to different spices of a malarial parasites (such as plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale). It occurs due to bites of mosquitoes infected with the malarial parasites. Symptoms of malarial infection may include fever, chills, sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting, body pain, general discomfort etc.
Before taking MALIRID inform your doctor if you have any liver, kidney, or heart disease. You must also inform your doctor if you have anemia, any infections or low WBC counts due to underlying autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus erythematosus) before taking MALIRID.
MALIRID should not be used in pregnant or breastfeeding women as it may cause serious harm to the growing fetus or the nursing infant. Both men and women receiving MALIRID must use a suitable contraceptive method to avoid pregnancy while undergoing therapy with MALIRID and for 2-3 months after discontinuation of therapy.
MALIRID may cause low red blood cell count and white blood cell count in your blood. To manage this, your doctor will periodically monitor your blood cell count and adjust the dose accordingly. Other common side effects of taking MALIRID are nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or heartburn. Consult your doctor if any of these side effects trouble you.
USES OF MALIRID
- Treats and prevents malarial infection
HOW MALIRID WORKS
MALIRID is an antiparasitic medicine. It controls the growth and multiplication of malarial parasites within the body. It interacts with the parasites and disrupts their energy sources (mitochondria), which leads to the death of the parasite. It also prevents the relapses of infection by killing the malarial parasites during their early stages within the liver before they get released into the blood stream.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
Take MALIRID preferably after meals or as directed by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose, duration and frequency of administration depending upon your age, body weight and severity of infection.
Do not stop taking MALIRID without consulting your doctor even if you feel better. Continue to take MALIRID for the stipulated duration mentioned by your doctor to achieve maximum benefits.
SIDE EFFECTS OF MALIRID
COMMON
- nausea, vomiting
- stomach pain or discomfort
- dizziness
- anemia (low RBC count)
- heart burn
- skin rash
- low WBC count
RARE
Stop taking MALIRID and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
- severe allergic reactions (such as skin rash, severe itching of the skin with raised lumps, blisters in the skin, swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat with difficulty in breathing or swallowing)
- signs of hemolytic anemia (such as darkening of the urine, pale skin, dizziness, confusion, fatigue, light-headedness, shortness of breath)
- bluish lips or nails
HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS
Nausea or vomiting:
Take MALIRID with, or just after meals. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating rich or spicy food. Consult your doctor if the symptoms worsen or persist.
Stomach pain:
Try to rest and relax. Eat and drink slowly or try to have smaller and more frequent meals. Consult your doctor immediately if the symptoms worsen or persist.
Dizziness:
Try to rest and relax. Get enough sleep. Avoid driving or operating any tools or machines completely if you feel dizzy. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your dizziness. Consult your doctor if your dizziness worsens.
Skin rash:
Avoid hot showers because hot water can irritate your skin further. Do not scratch the affected area. Use protective clothing when going outdoors. Regularly moisturize your skin. Consult your doctor if the symptom worsens.
WARNING & PRECAUTIONS
PREGNANCY
[GBNKEYWORD is not recommended for use if you are pregnant women. Therefore, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant before taking MALIRID. Women of childbearing potential must use a suitable contraceptive method to prevent pregnant while undergoing therapy with MALIRID and 2 months after discontinuation of the therapy.
BREASTFEEDING
[GBNKEYWORD is not recommended for use if you are breastfeeding women. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
DRIVING AND USING MACHINES
Do not drive or operate any heavy tools or machines if you feel dizzy after taking MALIRID.
ALCOHOL
Avoid consumption of alcohol while undergoing therapy with MALIRID.
KIDNEY
MALIRID should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Therefore, consult your doctor for advice before taking it.
LIVER
MALIRID should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Therefore, consult your doctor for advice before taking it.
ALLERGY
Do not take MALIRID if you are allergic to Primaquine.
HEART DISEASE
MALIRID should be used with caution in patients who have or previously had any heart disease (such as irregular heart rate). Therefore, consult your doctor for advice before taking it.
OTHERS
MALIRID is not recommended for use if you:
- have severe glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
- are severely ill or have granulocytopenia (low WBC count) due to rheumatoid arthritis or lupus erythematosus
- received another antimalarial drug called quinacrine recently
- have bone marrow disorder
Before taking MALIRID inform your physician if you:
- have a family history of G6PD deficiency
- have a rare blood disorder called NADH methemoglobin reductase deficiency
- have anemia (low RBC in blood)
- have hemolytic anemia (destruction of RBC in blood)
- have low potassium or magnesium levels in the blood
Use in pediatrics:
MALIRID should be used in children and adolescents (aged below 18 years) only if prescribed by the physician. It should not be used in young children weighing less than 20 kg. Therefore, consult your doctor before administration.
Use in geriatrics:
The safety and effectiveness of MALIRID have not been established in the elderly patients (aged 65 years or above). Therefore, MALIRID should be used in elderly patients only if considered necessary by the physician. Your doctor will prescribe you a suitable dose after analyzing your heart, kidney, and liver functions.
INTERACTIONS
A. Drug-Drug interactions:
Before taking MALIRID inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- other medicines used to treat malaria (such as mepacrine, quinacrine, halofantrine, chloroquine or pyronaridine artesunate, dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine)
- pentamidine- used to treat fungal infection
- medicines used to treat arrythmia (such as quinidine, amiodarone, procainamide, disopyramide)
- medicines used to treat depression (such as fluoxetine, paroxetine amitriptyline or imipramine)
- medicines used to treat psychiatric disorders (such as chlorpromazine, trihexyphenidyl)
- medicines used to treat bacterial infections (such as erythromycin, moxifloxacin)
- medicines that can depress the functions of bone marrow or damage the RBC or WBC in blood such as anticancer agents (Ex. carboplatin, busulfan, bendamustine), anti-infectives (sulfonamides, dapsone, cotrimoxazole, quinolones), colchicine, methylene blue, penicillamine, gold salts
- digoxin (a medicine used to treat abnormal heart rate)
- dabigatran (a medicine used to prevent blood clots)
- theophylline (a medicine used to treat breathing problems)
- alosetron (a medicine used to treat vomiting)
- tizanidine (a medicines used to treat muscle spasm)
B. Drug - Food interaction:
Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine as it may increase the risk of side effects.
Overdosage:
If you or anyone else accidentally took more MALIRID, contact your doctor immediately or visit a nearby hospital. Symptoms of overdosage might include vomiting, stomach pain or cramps, heart burn, heart rhythm problems tiredness, yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, dizziness, confusion, difficulty in breathing, trouble in sleeping, bluish discoloration of the skin or pale skin.
SYNOPSIS
| Drug | : | Primaquine |
| Pharmacological Category | : | 8-Aminoquinoline antiprotozoal agents |
| Therapeutic Indication | : | Malaria |
| Dosage Forms | : | Tablet |
MORE INFORMATION
- Keep out of reach of children
- Store between 15-30°C
FAQs ABOUT MALIRID
What is the use of MALIRID?
MALIRID is an antimalarial drug used to treat malarial infections and to prevent its relapse.
What MALIRID does to my body?
MALIRID controls the growth and multiplication of malarial parasites within the body. It interacts with the parasites and disrupts their energy sources (mitochondria), which leads to the death of the parasite. It also prevents the relapses of infection by killing the malarial parasites during their early stages within the liver before they get released into the blood stream.
What are the side effects of MALIRID?
The most common side effects of taking MALIRID are anemia, low WBC count, are nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or heartburn. Consult your doctor if any of these side effects trouble you.
How to take MALIRID?
Take MALIRID preferably after meals or as directed by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Do not stop taking MALIRID without consulting your doctor even if you feel better.
Can MALIRID be used in children?
MALIRID should be used in children and adolescents (aged below 18 years) if prescribed by the physician. Therefore, consult your doctor before administration.
What precautions do I need to follow while taking MALIRID?
Before taking MALIRID inform your doctor if you have any liver, kidney, or heart disease. You must also inform your doctor if you have anemia, any infections or low WBC counts due to underlying autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus erythematosus) before taking MALIRID. Consult your doctor before taking MALIRID if you are pregnant or breastfeeding women. Regularly check your blood counts as instructed by your doctor. Consult your doctor if you experience any unusual side effects after taking MALIRID.
Is MALIRID safe?
MALIRID is generally safe when used in the doses recommended by your doctor. Therefore, carefully follow your doctor's instructions and inform your doctor immediately if you experience any unpleasant side effects after taking MALIRID.
Can I take MALIRID during pregnancy?
MALIRID is not recommended for use if you are pregnant women. Therefore, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant before taking MALIRID.
Can I stop taking MALIRID without consulting the doctor?
No. Do not stop taking MALIRID even if you see improvement in your condition. It is important to complete the full course of treatment to prevent worsening of the existing infection. Therefore, continue to take MALIRID for the stipulated duration mentioned by your doctor to achieve maximum benefits.
What should I do if I forget to take a dose of MALIRID?
If you have missed a dose of MALIRID, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for the next dose of MALIRID, skip the missed dose and take the next one regularly. Do not take a double dose of MALIRID to compensate the missed ones.
How long should I take MALIRID?
MALIRID should be used as recommended by your doctor. Your doctor will decide the dose, duration and frequency of MALIRID for use depending upon your age, body weight and severity of your disease condition. Consult your doctor for advice.
REFERENCES
1. KD. Tripathi. Antimalarial drugs. Essentials of medical pharmacology. 8th edition. 2019. Page – 885.
2. Gawrie NL Galappaththy, Prathap Tharyan, and Richard Kirubakaran. Primaquine for preventing relapse in people with Plasmodium vivax malaria treated with chloroquine. NIH. National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PMC. PubMed Central. [Revised in October 2013] [Accessed on 6th September 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6532739/
3. Sanofi-aventis Canada Inc. Primaquine phosphate tablets, usp. [Revised on May 2020] [Accessed on 6th September 2022] https://products.sanofi.ca/en/primaquine.pdf
4. Sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC. Phosphate tablets, USP. [Revised in June 2017] [Accessed on 6th September 2022] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/008316s023lbl.pdf
5. Taj Pharmaceutical Ltd. Primaquine Phosphate 7.5mg Tablet USP. [Revised in March 2020]. [Accessed on 6th September 2022] https://tajpharma.in/wp-content/uploads/Primaquine-Phosphate-Tablets-BP-7.5mg-Primaquine-Phosphate-Tablets-manufacturer-in-India.pdf
USEFUL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
- Complete Blood Count
PRODUCT DETAILS
ALTERNATE BRANDS
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