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

Chemical formula:

• C15H21N3O (primaquine) and H3PO4 (phosphate)

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.