Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: HALFAN versus PRIMAQUINE.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: HALFAN versus PRIMAQUINE.
HALFAN vs PRIMAQUINE
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
HALFAN (halofantrine) is an antimalarial agent that acts as a blood schizonticide. It is thought to inhibit the polymerization of heme into hemozoin, leading to toxic accumulation of free heme within the parasite's food vacuole. It may also interfere with nucleic acid synthesis.
Antimalarial agent that eliminates exoerythrocytic forms (hypnozoites) of Plasmodium vivax and P. ovale; also active against gametocytes. Mechanism involves generation of reactive oxygen species via redox cycling, disrupting parasite mitochondrial function.
Adults: 500 mg orally once daily.
15 mg (base) orally once daily for 14 days for radical cure of P. vivax and P. ovale; 30 mg (base) orally once daily for 7 days for terminal prophylaxis.
None Documented
None Documented
Clinical Note
moderatePrimaquine + Norfloxacin
"Primaquine may increase the QTc-prolonging activities of Norfloxacin."
Clinical Note
moderatePrimaquine + Haloperidol
"Primaquine may increase the QTc-prolonging activities of Haloperidol."
Clinical Note
moderatePrimaquine + Ibandronate
"Primaquine may increase the QTc-prolonging activities of Ibandronate."
Clinical Note
moderatePrimaquine + Tenofovir disoproxil
"The metabolism of Tenofovir disoproxil can be decreased when combined with Primaquine."
Terminal elimination half-life is 10-18 hours (mean 14 hours) in healthy adults, allowing twice-daily dosing.
Terminal elimination half-life of approximately 4-7 hours; in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, half-life may be prolonged due to accumulation in erythrocytes
Primarily hepatic metabolism; renal excretion of metabolites accounts for <10% unchanged drug; biliary/fecal elimination of metabolites approximately 20-30%.
Primarily renal (60-65% as unchanged drug and metabolites); small amounts in feces (<5%)
Category C
Category D/X
Antimalarial
Antimalarial