Category:

• Miscellaneous

Description:

• Anti-infective/antimalarial/anthelmintic

Indications:

• Malaria prophylaxis

• Giardiasis

Contraindications:

• Concomitant administration of primaquin

• Concomitant administration of potentially hemolytic or bone marrow suppressive medications

Precautions:

• Pregnancy category C

• alcohol abuse

• anemia
• dehydration
• glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
• heart disease
• history of mental illness
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• malnutrition
• porphyria
• psoriasis
• an unusual or allergic reaction to quinacrine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• breast-feeding

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

• confusion, nervousness or excitability
• black and blue skin
• blurred vision or visual 'halos'
• emotional or behavioral changes
• nightmares, trouble sleeping
• seizures (convulsions)
• skin rash, itching, peeling skin
• yellowing of the eyes or skin
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• headache
• loss of appetite
• nausea, vomiting
• stomach pain
• yellow nails or urine (transient, while taking quinacrine)

Dosage:

For Giardiasis:

• Adults and teenagers: 100 mg, 3 times a day for 5 to 7 days.

• Children under age 12: 2 mg per 2.2 lbs (1 kg) of body weight 3 times a day, not to exceed 300 mg daily, for 5 to 7 days.

For Malaria Prophylaxis:

• Start quinacrine 2 weeks before arriving in the affected area.
• Continue taking the tablets for 3 to 4 weeks after leaving the area

NOTE: This medication is not currently available in the United States.