DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
For Treatment of Toxoplasmosis: The dosage of DARAPRIM for the treatment of toxoplasmosis
must be carefully adjusted so as to provide maximum therapeutic
effect and a minimum of side effects. At the dosage required,
there is a marked variation in the tolerance to the drug. Young
patients may tolerate higher doses than older individuals.
Concurrent administration of folinic acid is strongly
recommended in all patients.
The adult starting
dose is 50 to 75 mg of the drug daily, together with 1
to 4 g daily of a sulfonamide of the sulfapyrimidine
type, e.g. sulfadoxine. This dosage is ordinarily continued for
1 to 3 weeks, depending on the response of the patient
and tolerance to therapy. The dosage may then be reduced to
about one half that previously given for each drug and continued
for an additional 4 to 5 weeks.
The pediatric dosage of DARAPRIM is 1 mg/kg/day
divided into 2 equal daily doses; after 2 to
4 days this dose may be reduced to one half and
continued for approximately 1 month. The usual
pediatric sulfonamide dosage is used in conjunction with
DARAPRIM.
For Treatment of Acute Malaria: DARAPRIM is NOT recommended alone in the treatment of
acute malaria. Fast-acting schizonticides, such as chloroquine
or quinine, are indicated for treatment of acute malaria.
However, DARAPRIM at a dosage of 25 mg daily for
2 days with a sulfonamide will initiate transmission
control and suppression of non-falciparum malaria. DARAPRIM is only recommended
for patients infected in areas where susceptible plasmodia
exist. Should circumstances arise wherein DARAPRIM must be used
alone in semi-immune persons, the adult dosage for acute malaria
is 50 mg for 2 days; children 4 through
10 years old may be given 25 mg daily for
2 days. In any event, clinical cure should be followed
by the once-weekly regimen described below for chemoprophylaxis.
Regimens which include suppression should be extended through
any characteristic periods of early recrudescence and late
relapse, i.e., for at least 10 weeks in each
case.
For Chemoprophylaxis of Malaria:
Adults and pediatric patients over 10 years – 25 mg (1 tablet) once weekly
Children 4 through 10 years –
12.5 mg (1/2 tablet) once weekly
Infants and children under 4 years –
6.25 mg (1/4 tablet) once weekly.
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