Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
Primaquine is an antimalarial of the 8-aminoquinoline family. Unlike most antimalarials it kills the dormant liver stage of the vivax and ovale malaria parasites, so it is used to stop these infections from coming back weeks or months later, and at a low dose to block malaria transmission. It is also used for Pneumocystis pneumonia together with clindamycin.
Two genes matter. G6PD protects red blood cells, and people with G6PD deficiency (common where malaria is or was widespread, and more often in men) are at risk of haemolysis, the breakdown of red blood cells, on primaquine; CPIC has published a guideline on G6PD that covers it, and the US label mentions it. Separately, primaquine needs the liver enzyme CYP2D6 to become active, and studies find that people with low CYP2D6 activity are more likely to have vivax malaria return.
Clinical guidelines that name a gene for Primaquine. They sort people into groups by the gene copies they carry.
US FDA: G6PD. Deficient with CNSHA · Deficient · Variable.
Every published finding on gene variants and Primaquine. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.
PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.
G6PD;IKBKG rs1050828: Level 3. Toxicity. 1.
Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.
Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.
Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.
More drugs from the same category
Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.
Content updated September 2026.
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