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pyrimethamine (Daraprim)

  • Pharmacy Author:
    Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

    Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.

  • Medical and Pharmacy Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD
    Jay W. Marks, MD

    Jay W. Marks, MD

    Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

What is the dosage for pyrimethamine-oral?

  • Toxoplasmosis treatment For the treatment of toxoplasmosis the recommended adult starting dose is 50 to 75 mg of daily with 1 to 4 g daily of a sulfonamide for 1 to 3 weeks depending on the response of the patient and tolerance to therapy. The dosage of each drug should be reduced by half then continued for an additional 4 to 5 weeks.
  • Acute malaria treatment For treatment of acute malaria the dose is 25 to 50 mg daily for 2 days with a sulfonamide though chloroquine or quinine are preferred for treatment of acute malaria.
  • Malaria prevention For preventing malaria the recommended dose for adults and children over 10 years of age is 25 mg once weekly, and for children 4 through 10 years of age the dose is 12.5 mg (1/2 tablet) once weekly. Infants and children under 4 years of age should receive 6.25 mg (1/4 tablet) once weekly.

Which drugs or supplements interact with pyrimethamine-oral?

Combining pyrimethamine with other drugs that block folic acid or drugs that suppress the bone marrow may increase the risk of bone marrow suppression. Examples include sulfonamides or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole combinations, proguanil, zidovudine (Retrovir), or methotrexate (Trexall). If signs of folate deficiency develop, pyrimethamine should be discontinued and folinic acid (leucovorin) should be administered until normal bone marrow function is restored.

Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 10/12/2015

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