Pyrimethamine tablets

What are pyrimethamine tablets?

PYRIMETHAMINE (Daraprim®) is an antiparasitic agent. It is used to help prevent or treat malaria or can be used to treat toxoplasmosis. Pyrimethamine can also be used to treat Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, if you cannot take more standard treatment. Generic pyrimethamine tablets are not yet available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• an alcohol problem

• anemia or other blood disorders

• asthma

• dental disease

• folic acid deficiency

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• seizures (convulsions)

• an unusual or allergic reaction to pyrimethamine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take pyrimethamine tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow tablets whole with a drink of water. If pyrimethamine upsets your stomach take it with food or milk. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a weekly dose, take it as soon as you can and return to a once weekly dose schedule. If you miss a daily dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with pyrimethamine?

• medicines for HIV infection

• carbamazepine

• folic acid, folinic acid

• p-aminobenzoic acid, PABA

• lorazepam

• medicines for cancer chemotherapy

• medicines for mental problems and psychotic disturbances

• medicines for an over-active thyroid gland

• procainamide

• some antibiotics

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking pyrimethamine?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 2 to 3 days. High doses of pyrimethamine for toxoplasmosis can cause blood problems; visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your blood.

If you get a skin rash, stop taking your medicine and consult your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can.

Pyrimethamine can cause blood problems. This can mean slow healing and a risk of infection. Try to avoid cutting or injuring yourself. Problems can arise if you need dental work, and in the day to day care of your teeth. Try to avoid damage to your teeth and gums when you brush or floss your teeth.

Check with your pharmacist before you visit a new area where there are malaria-carrying mosquitoes. You may need to take a different antimalarial medicine.

What side effects may I notice from taking pyrimethamine?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• difficulty breathing

• fever or chills, sore throat

• increased sensitivity to the sun or ultraviolet light

• sore mouth or odd taste, swollen tongue

• seizures (convulsions)

• redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of skin, including skin inside the mouth

• skin rash, itching

• stomach pain

• unusual bleeding or bruising

• unusual tiredness or weakness

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea

• loss of appetite

• nausea, vomiting

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. It is important to keep pyrimethamine out of reach of children; overdose is dangerous.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 25 degrees C (59 and 77 degrees F). Protect from light and moisture. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.