Pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine (Oral)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 20, 2022.
Fatalities associated with the administration of pyrimethamine/sulfadoxine have occurred due to severe reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Pyrimethamine/sulfadoxine prophylaxis must be discontinued at the first appearance of skin rash, if a significant reduction in the count of any formed blood elements is noted, or upon the occurrence of active bacterial or fungal infections .
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Fansidar
Pharmacologic Class: Folic Acid Antagonist
Chemical Class: Sulfonamide
Uses for pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine
Sulfadoxine , a sulfa medicine, and pyrimethamine combination is used to treat malaria. Pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine may also be used to prevent malaria in people who are living in, or will be traveling to, an area where there is a chance of getting malaria. Sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine combination may also be taken with other medicines for malaria, or may be used for other problems as determined by your doctor.
Since sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine combination may cause some serious side effects, it generally is used only to prevent or treat serious malaria infections in areas where it is known that other medicines may not work.
Pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine combination should not be used in infants up to 2 months of age.
Geriatric
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine combination in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Breastfeeding
Studies in women breastfeeding have demonstrated harmful infant effects. An alternative to this medication should be prescribed or you should stop breastfeeding while using pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine.
Interactions with medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necess..
