Tafenoquine

The Basics

What is Tafenoquine?

Used to prevent and to treat malaria.

Brand names for Tafenoquine

Arakoda, Krintafel

How Tafenoquine is classified

Anti-Infective Agents, Antiparasitic Agents, Antimalarials, Antiprotozoal Agents

Tafenoquine During Pregnancy

Tafenoquine pregnancy category

Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Tafenoquine while pregnant

N/A

Taking Tafenoquine While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Tafenoquine?

No information is available on the use of tafenoquine during breastfeeding. Tafenoquine can cause hemolysis in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. If tafenoquine is needed by the mother, testing the mother and infant for G6PD deficiency is required before the drug is given. Because the half-life of tafenoquine averages 15 days, the manufacturer recommends that breastfeeding should not breastfeed for 3 months after the dose if the infant is G6PD deficient.

Maternal / infant drug levels

No information is available on the use of tafenoquine during breastfeeding. Tafenoquine can cause hemolysis in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. If tafenoquine is needed by the mother, testing the mother and infant for G6PD deficiency is required before the drug is given. Because the half-life of tafenoquine averages 15 days, the manufacturer recommends that breastfeeding should not breastfeed for 3 months after the dose if the infant is G6PD deficient.

Possible effects of Tafenoquine on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Tafenoquine

Primaquine.