Primaquine Phosphate Tablets BP 15mg Taj Pharma

1.Name of the medicinal product

Primaquine Phosphate Tablets BP 7.5mg Taj Pharma
Primaquine Phosphate Tablets BP 15mg Taj Pharma

2.Qualitative and quantitative composition

a) Each film-coated tablet contains:
Primaquine Phosphate equivalent to Primaquine 7.5mg

Colors: Ferric Oxide Red & Titanium Dioxide

b) Each film-coated tablet contains:
Primaquine Phosphate equivalent to Primaquine 15mg

Colors: Ferric Oxide Red & Titanium Dioxide

3.Pharmaceutical form

Oral tablet

4.Description

Primaquine Phosphate Tablets are fixed-dose combination (FDC) tablets containing, indicated for the treatment Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale and against the primary exo-erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum..

PHARMACOLOGY

Primaquine is an 8-aminoquinoline anti-protozoal agent which is highly active against exo-erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale and against the primary exo-erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum.

Primaquine is also highly active against gametocytes of Plasmodia, especially Plasmodium falciparum.

Primaquine is readily absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract and extensively distributed into body tissues.

Peak plasma concentration occurs about 1 to 3 hours after a dose is taken and then rapidly diminishes with a reported elimination half-life of 3 to 6 hours.

Primaquine is rapidly metabolized in the liver, its principal metabolite being carboxyprimaquine. Little unchanged drug is excreted in the urine.

INDICATIONS

PRIMAQUINE is indicated for the radical cure (prevention of relapse) of vivax and ovale malaria.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

PRIMAQUINE is contraindicated:

• In patients who are hypersensitive to primaquine or to any ingredient in the formulation or components of the container. For a complete listing of the excipients, see AVAILABILITY section.
• In acutely ill patients suffering from systemic disease manifested by tendency to granulocytopenia, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus.
• In patients receiving concurrently other potentially hemolytic drugs or depressants of myeloid elements of the bone marrow.
• Quinacrine appears to potentiate the toxicity of antimalarial compounds which are structurally related to primaquine; therefore, the use of quinacrine in patients receiving primaquine is contraindicated. Similarly, primaquine should not be administered to patients who have received quinacrine recently, as toxicity is increased.
• In patients with severe glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
• In pregnant women

WARNINGS

General

Discontinue the use of PRIMAQUINE promptly if signs suggestive of hemolytic anemia occur (such as darkening of the urine or a sudden decrease in hemoglobin concentration or erythrocyte count), or if there is a sudden decrease in leukocyte count.

Some adverse reactions (e.g. dizziness) may impair the patient’s ability to concentrate and react, and therefore may constitute a risk in situations where these abilities are of special importance (e.g. driving a car or operating machinery).

Use in special groups

Observe particular caution in individuals with a personal or family history of favism, hemolytic anemia, or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) methemoglobin reductase deficiency.

Hemolytic anemia and G6PD deficiency:

Due to the risk of hemolytic anemia in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient patients, G6PD testing has to be performed before using primaquine. In case of severe anemia, the G6PD testing should be postponed until recovery of anemia, in order to avoid false diagnosis due to reticulocytosis.

Baseline hematocrit and hemoglobin must be checked before treatment and close hematological monitoring (e.g. at day 3 and 8) is required. Due to the limitations of G6PD tests, physicians need to be aware of residual risk of hemolysis. Adequate medical support and follow-up to manage haemolytic risk should be available.

In case of mild to moderate G6PD deficiency, a decision to prescribe primaquine must be based on an assessment of the risks and benefits of using primaquine; if primaquine administration is considered, the dosage regimen should be adapted accordingly (see DOSAGE) and close hematological monitoring is required.

Pregnancy

The safety of primaquine in human pregnancy has not been established. The use of primaquine is contraindicated during pregnancy (even if a pregnant woman is G6PD normal, the fetus may not be).

Preclinical data show a potential risk of genotoxicity and a potential embryo-fetal developmental toxicity. Although no clinical consequences have been identified, human data are limited. Patients must be informed of the potential genotoxic risk. Patients have to avoid pregnancy during treatment and for the following period after end of treatment:

− in treated women of childbearing potential, until completion of on-going ovulatory cycle (i.e. up to next menses),

− in treated males whose partners may become pregnant, for 3 months.

Lactation

It is not known whether primaquine is excreted in breast milk.

Because of the potential of primaquine to produce serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to interrupt breast-feeding or to delay the PRIMAQUINE treatment until end of breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Caution is advised if primaquine is used concomitantly with other drugs that prolong the QT interval.

PRECAUTIONS

Anemia, methemoglobinemia and leukopenia have been observed following administration of large doses of primaquine; therefore, the adult dosage of 1 tablet daily for 14 days should not be exceeded. It is also advisable to make routine blood examinations, particularly blood cell counts and hemoglobin determinations, during therapy.

Due to potential for QT prolongation, caution is advised in patients with cardiac disease, a history of ventricular dysrhythmias, uncorrected hypokalemia and/or hypomagnesemia, or bradycardia (<50 bpm), and during concomitant administration with QT interval prolonging agents (see WARNINGS, ADVERSE REACTIONS, OVERDOSE).

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Cardio-vascular: Cardiac arrhythmia and QT prolongation, mainly with high dose (see also OVERDOSE).

Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, epigastric distress, and abdominal pain.

Hematologic: Leukopenia, hemolytic anemia especially in G-6-PD deficient individuals and methemoglobinemia especially in NADH methemoglobin reductase deficient individuals.

Nervous system disorders: Dizziness.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Rash maculo-papular, pruritus.

OVERDOSE

Symptoms

Abdominal cramps, vomiting, jaundice, burning epigastric distress, CNS and cardiovascular disturbances, including cardiac arrhythmia and QT prolongation, cyanosis, methemoglobinemia, moderate leukocytosis or leukopenia, and anemia. The most striking changes are granulocytopenia and acute hemolytic anemia in G6PD deficient patients. Acute hemolysis often occurs, but complete recovery can be expected if primaquine is discontinued.

Treatment

For management of a suspected drug overdose, contact your regional Poison Control Centre.

Management should include appropriate attempts to recover primaquine from the stomach by emesis or gastric lavage and provision of respiratory and cardiovascular support.

Sodium lactate i.v. may be used to counter the depressant effects of primaquine on the heart. Electrical pacing of the heart may be needed.

Ammonium chloride in doses up to 12 g daily orally may be given to enhance urinary excretion.

Symptomatic methemoglobinemia should be treated with 1 to 2 mg per kg of methylene blue.

DOSAGE

Primaquine is recommended only for the radical cure of vivax and ovale malaria (the prevention of relapse in vivax and ovale malaria), or following the termination of chloroquine phosphate suppressive therapy in an area where vivax or ovale malaria are endemic.

Patients suffering from an attack of vivax or ovale malaria or having parasitized red blood cells should initially receive a course of a blood schizontocide, which quickly destroys the erythrocytic parasites and terminates the paroxysm. Primaquine phosphate should then be administered in order to eradicate the exo-erythrocytic parasites.

When primaquine is indicated for the prevention of delayed primary attacks and relapse of Plasmodium vivax or Plasmodium ovale malaria in individuals who have returned home from areas where these plasmodial species are endemic, primaquine is generally initiated during the last 2 weeks of, or immediately following, therapy with chloroquine or another suitable antimalarial agent.

NOTE: For radical cure of some strains of Plasmodium vivax, higher doses or longer courses may be required to overcome resistance.

Taking primaquine after a meal may reduce abdominal pain or cramps associated with ingestion of the drug.

AVAILABILITY

Each pink, film-coated, convex round tablet imprinted in black ink with a stylized W and P97 on one side and plain on the other side contains: primaquine phosphate USP 26.3 mg (equivalent to primaquine base 15 mg).

Non-medicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, cellulose (microcrystalline), lactose, magnesium stearate, Opacode Black ink S-1-177003 (contains shellac glaze; propylene glycol; N-butyl alcohol; black iron oxide; ethanol and methanol), Opadry white YS-1-7443 (contains hypromellose; polyethylene glycol 400; titanium dioxide; and polysorbate 80), polyethylene glycol 400, red iron oxide, starch and talc. Gluten and tartrazine-free.

Bottles of 100.

10 STORAGE AND STABILITY

Store between 15-30°C.

Keep away from the reach and sight of children.

7. Manufactured in India by:
TAJ PHARMACEUTICALS LTD.
Mumbai, India
Unit No. 214.Old Bake House,
Maharashtra chambers of Commerce Lane,
Fort, Mumbai – 400001
at:Gujarat, INDIA.
Customer Service and Product Inquiries:
1-800-TRY-FIRST (1-800-222-434 & 1-800-222-825)
Monday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST
E-mail: tajgroup@tajpharma.com

Primaquine Phosphate Tablets BP 15mg Taj Pharma

Read this carefully before you start taking primaquine and each time you get a refill. This leaflet is a summary and will not tell you everything about this drug. Talk to your healthcare professional about your medical condition and treatment and ask if there is any new information about primaquine.

What is primaquine used for?

Primaquine is used to eliminate certain forms of malaria (specifically Plasmodium vivax and ovale malaria) and help prevent it from coming back.

How does primaquine work?

Primaquine belongs to a group of drugs called the antimalarials. It is used to treat malaria in an infected person.  affects the parasite that causes malaria, causing it to die. This stops the infection from continuing.

What are the ingredients in primaquine?

Medicinal ingredients: Primaquine phosphate USP 26.3 mg (equivalent to Primaquine base 15 mg).

Non-medicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, cellulose (microcrystalline), lactose, magnesium stearate, Opacode Black ink S-1-177003(contains shellac glaze; propylene glycol; N-butyl alcohol; black iron oxide; ethanol and methanol), Opadry white YS-1-7443 (contains hypromellose; polyethylene glycol 400; titanium dioxide; and polysorbate 80), polyethylene glycol 400, red iron oxide, starch and talc. Gluten and tartrazine-free.

Primaquine comes in the following dosage forms:

Pink, film coated convex round tablet.

Do not use primaquine if:

• If you are allergic to Primaquine phosphate or any of the ingredients in the product (See What are the ingredients in primaquine)
• If you suffer from a medical condition such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus erythematosus and if you are acutely ill with systemic disease
• If you are taking or have recently taken quinacrine (another antimalarial drug)
• If you are taking drugs that may damage blood cells or their formation
• If you have a disease called severe G6PD deficiency (also known as favism)
• If you are pregnant

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take primaquine. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

• Suffer from, or have a family history of G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) deficiency, or favism. Primaquine must not be used if you have severe G6PD deficiency.
• Suffer from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) methemoglobin reductase deficiency
• Suffer from hemolytic anemia, a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed and removed from the bloodstream before their normal lifespan is over.
• Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant.You should not become pregnant while receiving treatment with primaquine and for 1 menstrual cycle after stopping.
• Are male and planning to father a child. You should not father a child while receiving primaquine treatment and for 3 months after stopping.
• Are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. Breastfeeding should be interrupted or the primaquine treatment should be delayed until end of breastfeeding.
• Have or have had heart disease, an irregular heartbeat, low levels of magnesium or potassium in your blood, or a resting heart rate below 50 beats per minutes.

Other warnings you should know about:

Because primaquine can cause hemolysis in persons with G6PD deficiency, a screening test must be performed prior to use to rule out such a deficiency.

Stop taking primaquine right away and contact your doctor if you develop signs of hemolytic anemia which include darkening of the urine, dizziness, confusion, fatigue, light-headedness, or shortness of breath.

Primaquine may cause dizziness; do not drive or operate machinery until you know how the drug affects you.

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

The following may interact with primaquine:

Do not take primaquine if you are taking or if you have recently taken quinacrine.

Primaquine can interact with medications that have an effect on heart rhythm (prolong the QT interval).

How to take primaquine:

Taking primaquine after a meal may help to decrease stomach pain or cramps which are possible side effects of this medication.

Usual dose:

Take primaquine exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Overdose: If you think you have taken too much primaquine , contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

Storage:

Store between 15-30°C.

Keep out of reach and sight of children.

7. Manufactured in India by:
TAJ PHARMACEUTICALS LTD.
Mumbai, India
Unit No. 214.Old Bake House,
Maharashtra chambers of Commerce Lane,
Fort, Mumbai – 400001
at:Gujarat, INDIA.
Customer Service and Product Inquiries:
1-800-TRY-FIRST (1-800-222-434 & 1-800-222-825)
Monday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST
E-mail: tajgroup@tajpharma.com