Tafenoquine Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 25, 2020.

Usual Adult Dose for Malaria

300 mg orally once as a single dose

Comments:
-Limitations of Use:
---This drug is not indicated for the treatment of acute Plasmodium vivax malaria.
---Concomitant use of this drug with antimalarials other than chloroquine is not recommended due to the risk of recurrence of P vivax malaria.
-This drug should be coadministered on the first or second day of chloroquine therapy for acute P vivax malaria.
-A repeat dose is recommended if vomiting occurs within 1 hour after dosing; re-dosing should not be attempted more than once.

Use: For the radical cure (prevention of relapse) of P vivax malaria in patients receiving chloroquine therapy for acute P vivax infection

Usual Adult Dose for Malaria Prophylaxis

Loading dose: 200 mg orally once a day for 3 days
Maintenance dose: 200 mg orally once a week
Terminal prophylaxis dose: 200 mg orally once as a single dose

Duration of therapy: Up to 6 months of continuous dosing

Comments:
-The loading dose should be administered for each of the 3 days prior to travel to malarious area.
-The maintenance dose should be started 7 days after the last loading dose and should be continued while in the malarious area.
-The terminal prophylaxis regimen should be administered 7 days after the last maintenance dose in the week after exit from malarious area.
-The full course of therapy should be completed (including the loading dose, maintenance dose, and terminal dose).
-To replace missed dose(s):
---If 1 loading dose is missed: 1 dose of 200 mg so that a total of 3 daily loading doses have been administered; the maintenance dose should be started 1 week after the last loading dose
---If 2 loading doses are missed: 2 doses of 200 mg on 2 consecutive days so that a total of 3 daily loading doses have been administered; the maintenance dose should be started 1 week after the last loading dose
---If 1 maintenance (weekly) dose is missed: 1 dose of 200 mg on any day up to the time of the next scheduled weekly dose
---If 2 maintenance (weekly) doses are missed: 1 dose of 200 mg on any day up to the time of the next scheduled weekly dose
---If at least 3 maintenance (weekly) doses are missed: 2 doses of 200 mg, administered as 200 mg once a day for 2 days up to the time of the next scheduled weekly dose
---If the terminal prophylaxis dose is missed: 1 dose of 200 mg as soon as remembered

Use: For the prophylaxis of malaria

Usual Pediatric Dose for Malaria

16 years or older: 300 mg orally once as a single dose

Comments:
-Limitations of Use:
---This drug is not indicated for the treatment of acute P vivax malaria.
---Concomitant use of this drug with antimalarials other than chloroquine is not recommended due to the risk of recurrence of P vivax malaria.
-This drug should be coadministered on the first or second day of chloroquine therapy for acute P vivax malaria.
-A repeat dose is recommended if vomiting occurs within 1 hour after dosing; re-dosing should not be attempted more than once.

Use: For the radical cure (prevention of relapse) of P vivax malaria in patients receiving chloroquine therapy for acute P vivax infection

Renal Dose Adjustments

Renal dysfunction: Monitoring for drug-related side effects recommended.

Liver Dose Adjustments

Liver dysfunction: Monitoring for drug-related side effects recommended.

Precautions

CONTRAINDICATIONS:
-Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency or unknown G6PD status (due to risk of hemolytic anemia)
-Breastfeeding when infant is G6PD deficient or if G6PD status of infant is unknown
-Known hypersensitivity to the active component, any of the ingredients, or other 8-aminoquinolines
-For the prophylaxis of malaria: History of psychotic disorders or current psychotic symptoms (i.e., hallucinations, delusions, and/or grossly disorganized behavior)

For the prophylaxis of malaria: Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 18 years.
For the radical cure of P vivax malaria: Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 16 years.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:
-Test all patients for G6PD deficiency before prescribing this drug.
-Test females of reproductive potential for pregnancy before starting this drug.
-Administer with food (to increase systemic absorption).
-Swallow tablets whole; do not break, crush, or chew.
-For the prophylaxis of malaria: Complete the full course of therapy (including the loading dose, maintenance dose, and terminal dose).
-For the radical cure of P vivax malaria: Do not use to treat acute P vivax malaria; coadminister this drug on the 1st or 2nd day of chloroquine therapy for acute P vivax malaria.
-For the radical cure of P vivax malaria: Administer an additional dose if vomiting occurs within 1 hour after dosing; do not attempt to re-dose more than once.

Storage requirements:
-Store at 20C to 25C (68F to 77F); excursions permitted to 15C to 30C (59F to 86F).
-Protect from moisture.
-Blister card (100 mg tablets): Dispense only in original carton.
-Bottle (150 mg tablets): Store in original container with desiccant inside; keep bottle tightly closed.

Monitoring:
-General: Pregnancy testing in females of reproductive potential (before therapy); for drug-related side effects in patients with renal and/or liver dysfunction
-Hematologic: For clinical signs/symptoms of hemolysis
-Metabolic: For G6PD deficiency (before prescribing)

Patient advice:
-Read the US FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide [for the prophylaxis of malaria]; Patient Information [for the radical cure of P vivax malaria]).
-Promptly seek medical advice if symptoms of hemolytic anemia or methemoglobinemia occur; contact healthcare provider if dark/darker lips or urine develop.
-Females of reproductive potential: Avoid pregnancy or use effective contraception during therapy and for 3 months after the last dose of this drug.
-For the prophylaxis of malaria: Seek medical attention as soon as possible if hallucinations, delusions, or confused thinking occur during therapy; seek prompt evaluation by medical professional if other psychiatric symptoms (e.g., changes in mood, anxiety, insomnia, nightmares) last more than 3 days or are severe.
-For the radical cure of P vivax malaria: Promptly seek medical advice if new or worsening psychiatric symptoms develop.
-Promptly seek medical advice if symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions develop.
-For the prophylaxis of malaria: Avoid missing doses and complete the entire course of therapy.

Frequently asked questions

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Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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