Daraprim (Pyrimethamine)

You should not use DARAPRIM if you have a blood cell disorder called megaloblastic anemia that has been caused by folate deficiency.

You should not use DARAPRIM if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• a blood cell disorder called megaloblastic anemia that has been caused by folate (folic acid) deficiency.

To make sure DARAPRIM is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• seizures (especially if you take phenytoin);
• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• a history of alcoholism;
• if you are pregnant; or
• if you are malnourished.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether DARAPRIM will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, and avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medicine.

In some cases, DARAPRIM is given to pregnant women to treat toxoplasmosis. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medicine if you are pregnant.

DARAPRIM can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Stop using DARAPRIM and call your doctor at once if you have:

• sore throat, swelling in your tongue;
• pale skin, easy bruising, purple spots under your skin;
• the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;
• blood in your urine;
• new or worsening cough, fever, trouble breathing;
• irregular heartbeats; or
• severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects may include:

• vomiting; or
• loss of appetite.

Other drugs may interact with DARAPRIM , including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

The DARAPRIM dose for treating toxoplasmosis is much higher than the dose for malaria. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Your dosage and the length of time you take DARAPRIM will depend on the reason you are taking this medicine. In some cases, DARAPRIM is taken for several weeks.

Take with food if DARAPRIM upsets your stomach or affects your appetite.

Overdose symptoms may include stomach pain, severe vomiting, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, feeling anxious or excited, seizure (convulsions), and weak or shallow breathing (breathing may stop).

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.