WHAT IS Fansidar/Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine CAPSULES?

PYRIMETHAMINE; SULFADOXINE is used to treat or prevent malaria infections. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

WHERE SHOULD I KEEP Fansidar/Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

HOW SHOULD I USE Fansidar/Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine?

Take this medicine by mouth. Swallow tablets whole with glass of water after a meal. Do not chew the tablets. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 2 months for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

Note: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

WHAT IF I MISS A DOSE?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

WHAT SHOULD I WATCH FOR WHILE USING Fansidar/Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine?

Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better in 2 to 3 days or if they get worse.

If you are taking this medicine for a long time you must visit your doctor or health care professional for regular blood checks.

This medicine can cause blood problems. This can mean slow healing and a risk of infection. Try to avoid cutting or injuring yourself. Try to avoid damage to your teeth and gums when you brush or floss your teeth. If you are having any dental work done, let your dentist know that you are taking this medicine.

Check with your doctor or health care professional before you visit a new area where there are malaria-carrying mosquitoes. You may need to take a different antimalarial medicine.

This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.

Drink several glasses of water a day. This will help to reduce possible kidney problems.

This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

WHAT MAY INTERACT WITH Fansidar/Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine?

• warfarin/Coumadin
• chloroquine
• cyclosporine/Neoral
• zidovudine/Retrovir
• certain antibiotics like sulfacetamide, sulfamethoxazole, and trimethoprim
• medicines for cancer chemotherapy

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care providers a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

WHAT SIDE EFFECTS MAY I NOTICE FROM Fansidar/Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine?

What side effects may I notice from receiving Pyrimethamine; Sulfadoxine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• dark urine
• unusually weak or tired
• trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
• general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms
• right upper belly pain
• swelling of the neck
• vomiting
• yellowing of the eyes or skin
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• bluish fingernails or lips
• muscle pain or weakness
• seizures
• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• eye redness or irritation
• loss of appetite, nausea
• light-colored stools

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• headache
• ringing in the ears
• trouble sleeping
• dizziness
• diarrhea

This list may not describe all possible side effects.

WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS BEFORE I TAKE Fansidar/Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• kidney disease
• liver disease
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• anemia or other blood disorders
• an unusual or allergic reaction to pyrimethamine, sulfadoxine, sulfa drugs, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD deficiency)
• breast-feeding
• asthma
• low levels of folic acid in the blood

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.