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Primaquine phosphate: Chemical Structure, Mechanism of action, Uses & Side effects

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Chemical formula:

  • C15H21N3O (primaquine) and H3PO4 (phosphate)

Structure of Primaquine
Structure of Primaquine

Mechanism of action:

  • The exact mechanism is not well understood, but primaquine is thought to generate reactive oxygen species that damage the parasite's cellular structures.

Uses:

  • Primaquine is primarily used to treat the liver stages (hypnozoites) of P. vivax and P. ovale infections, preventing relapses.

  • It may also be used for malaria prophylaxis and P. falciparum gametocyte clearance.

Side effects:

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • abdominal pain

  • dizziness

  • and rash.

  • Serious side effects include haemolytic anaemia (particularly in individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency), methemoglobinemia, and leukopenia.



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