Pyrimethamine, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antimalarial

Generic and brand names: pyrimethamine, oral; Daraprim

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to prevent and treat malaria infections. It is also used to treat other conditions.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• anemia due to folate deficiency
• kidney or liver disease
• malabsorption syndrome
• seizures
• problems with alcohol abuse

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

Take this medicine with food to prevent stomach upset.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What should I watch out for?

Contact your healthcare provider if:

• your symptoms do not improve in a few days, or if they get worse
• you develop any sign of a skin rash
• your urine changes color (red or orange).

You will need regular blood tests and exams, especially if you are taking large doses. If you are taking large doses of this medicine, your healthcare provider may recommend special care of your teeth and gums.

Your healthcare provider may have you take folinic acid with this medicine. Take it as prescribed.

This medicine is very poisonous to children. Keep it out of the reach of children.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which may lead to painful sunburns. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. Wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen lotion when you need to be outdoors. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your healthcare provider right away.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Loss of sense of taste, rash, mouth sores, sore throat or tongue, fever, bleeding gums, unusual bruising or bleeding, pale skin, weakness.

Other: Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, trouble sleeping, headache, dizziness, dry mouth.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antithyroid medicines such as methimazole (Tapazole), potassium iodide (SSKI), and propylthiouracil (PTU)
• folic acid
• lorazepam (Ativan)
• methotrexate
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• proguanil/atovaquone (Malarone)
• sulfa drugs such as sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxazole (Gantanol), and sulfamethizole (Thiosulfil Forte)
• trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMZ, Bactrim, Septra)
• zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.