Pyrimethamine Brand Name– Daraprim
What is Pyrimethamine
NOTE: Pyrimethamine is only available through a special pharmacy program, DARAPRIM Direct Program. For information on prescribing and patient enrollment, telephone 800-222-4991.
Pyrimethamine is a synthetic antiparasitic agent that is chemically and pharmacologically similar to trimethoprim, a component of co-trimoxazole.
Pyrimethamine, when used in combination with a sulfonamide (i.e., sulfadoxine), is indicated for the treatment of patients with toxoplasmosis; monotherapy is not recommended.
Pyrimethamine, a folic acid antagonist, has schizonticidal activity in the blood and some tissues; however, it has a much slower antiparasitic action than does chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine.
Indications
- Isospora belli
- isosporiasis
- Plasmodium falciparum
- Plasmodium malariae
- Plasmodium ovale
- Plasmodium vivax
- Pneumocystis jirovecii (formerly Pneumocystis carinii)
- Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis
- Toxoplasma gondii
- toxoplasmic encephalitis
- toxoplasmosis
- toxoplasmosis prophylaxis
Side Effects
- acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP)
- anaphylactoid reactions
- anorexia
- eosinophilic pneumonia
- erythema multiforme
- fever
- glossitis
- hematuria
- leukopenia
- megaloblastic anemia
- neutropenia
- pancytopenia
- purpura
- rash
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- thrombocytopenia
- toxic epidermal necrolysis
- vasculitis
- vomiting
Monitoring Parameters
- CBC
Contraindications
- alcoholism
- asthma
- bone marrow suppression
- breast-feeding
- dental disease
- dental work
- folate deficiency
- folate deficiency megaloblastic anemia
- geriatric
- hepatic disease
- intramuscular injections
- pregnancy
- renal disease
- seizure disorder
Interactions
- Abacavir; Lamivudine, 3TC; Zidovudine, ZDV
- Artemether; Lumefantrine
- Carbamazepine
- Chlorpromazine
- Dapsone
- Drospirenone; Ethinyl Estradiol; Levomefolate
- Ethinyl Estradiol; Levonorgestrel; Folic Acid; Levomefolate
- Fluorouracil, 5-FU
- Folic Acid, Vitamin B9
- Lamivudine, 3TC; Zidovudine, ZDV
- Lamotrigine
- Levomefolate
- Lorazepam
- Methotrexate
- Penicillamine
- Rabies Vaccine
- Sapropterin
- Sulfamethoxazole; Trimethoprim, SMX-TMP, Cotrimoxazole
- Sulfonamides
- Trimethoprim
- Trimetrexate
- Zidovudine, ZDV
