Which of the following antimalarial agents is most commonly associated with acute hemolytic reaction in patients with glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency?: (A) Chloroquine, (B) Clindamycin, (C) Mefloquine, (D) Primaquine
Answer is D. -Primaquine can cause hemolytic anemia in patients with even mild deficiency of G-6-PDdue to its oxidative propeies. - Symtoms include passage of dark coloured urine which indicate hemolysis and the drug must be stoppped. - Quinine, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine can also cause hemolysis in G-6-PD deficient patients but the frequency is less than that of primaquine.