Pronunciation: peer-i-METH-a-meen
Generic Name: PyrimethamineBrand Name: Daraprim
Daraprim is used for:
Treating or preventing malaria and treating toxoplasmosis when used with other medicines (eg, folinic acid).
Daraprim is an antiparasitic. It works by killing the parasites or preventing their growth.
Do NOT use Daraprim if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Daraprim
- you have megaloblastic anemia due to folate deficiency
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Daraprim:
Some medical conditions may interact with Daraprim. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of depression, seizures, kidney or liver problems, bone marrow problems, stomach or bowel problems (eg, malabsorption syndrome), phenylketonuria, or alcoholism
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Daraprim. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Phenytoin because side effects of Daraprim may be increased
- Methotrexate, proguanil, quinine, sulfonamides (eg, sulfamethoxazole), or zidovudine because the risk of bone marrow suppression may be increased
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Daraprim may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Daraprim:
Use Daraprim as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Daraprim may be taken with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
- Your doctor may also prescribe another medicine called folinic acid (leucovorin calcium) to take along with Daraprim.
- To clear up your infection completely, continue using Daraprim for the full course of treatment even if you feel better in a few days.
- If you miss a dose of Daraprim, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Daraprim.
Important safety information:
- It is important to use Daraprim for the full course of treatment. Failure to do so may decrease the effectiveness of Daraprim and may increase the risk that the organisms will no longer be sensitive to Daraprim and will not be able to be treated by this or certain other antibiotics in the future.
- LAB TESTS, including blood cell counts and platelet counts, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Daraprim with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is unknown if Daraprim can cause harm to the fetus. Avoid becoming pregnant while taking Daraprim. If you become pregnant while taking Daraprim, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Daraprim during pregnancy. Daraprim is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Daraprim.
Possible side effects of Daraprim:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Loss of appetite; nausea; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood in the urine; irregular heartbeat; pale skin; red, swollen, or blistered skin; severe or persistent vomiting; sore throat or fever; unusual bleeding or bruising.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Daraprim side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include abdominal pain; difficulty breathing; fast heartbeat; fever; nausea; seizures; severe or persistent vomiting; stomach pain; vomiting of blood.
Proper storage of Daraprim:Store Daraprim at room temperature, between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Daraprim out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Daraprim, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Daraprim is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Daraprim. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Issue Date: February 1, 2012
Database Edition 12.1.1.002
Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
More Daraprim resources
- Daraprim Side Effects (in more detail)
- Daraprim Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Daraprim Drug Interactions
- Daraprim Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Daraprim - Add your own review/rating
- Daraprim Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Daraprim Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Daraprim Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)
- Daraprim Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Pyrimethamine Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
Compare Daraprim with other medications
- Malaria Prevention
- Pneumocystis Pneumonia Prophylaxis
- Toxoplasmosis
- Toxoplasmosis, Prophylaxis
