Information for Patients, Family and Carers
Medicines that sometimes cause problems for people with G6PD deficiency
Medicines for malaria:
- Chloroquine
- Fansidar
- Maloprim (contains Dapsone)
- Pentaquine
- Pamaquine
- Primaquine
Other medicines:
- Aspirin (large doses)
- Chloramphenicol
- Dapsone
- Phenylhydrazine
- Nalidixic acid
- Nitrofurantoin
- Sulphonamides (some)
- Thiazolesulfone
- Vitamin K
If you are on these medicines or you have any further questions please contact your haemoglobinopathy team.
What is glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)?
- G6PD is an enzyme which is found throughout the body.
- G6PD deficiency is a reduced amount of the enzyme. This can affect the red blood cells.
How is G6PD deficiency discovered?
- A specific blood test can measure the G6PD level.
- It is not a routine test. It is only done if the doctor has a reason to believe that you might have G6PD deficiency when, for instance, you become jaundiced (yellow in colour).
How do you get G6PD deficiency?
- G6PD deficiency is inherited. This means it is passed from one or both parents to the child.
- It is found in both men and women, but usually affects men more severely.
- It is found generally in people whose ancestors have come from areas such as the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
- There are many types of G6PD deficiency, but the types found in people from the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia are usually more severe than those found in other groups.
What does G6PD have to do with the blood?
- G6PD is found in red blood cells which carries oxygen to all parts of the body. It helps protect red blood cells.
- If the amount of G6PD is reduced, some of the red blood cells may be destroyed. You may then not have enough red blood cells, leading to becoming anaemic and lacking in energy.
Risks for people with G6PD?
People with G6PD deficiency occasionally
have a problem if they:
- Eat broad beans
- Get an infection
- Come into contact with mothballs, or take certain medication, such as Aspirin or Disprin, and some common antibiotics.
Always check with your doctor whether certain medications are safe to take. There is a list at the end of this leaflet.
You may have a problem if you:
- Feel unwell and lack energy
- Become pale and yellow in colour (jaundice)
- Have a backache or
- Pass dark coloured urine.
What can be done about G6PD deficiency?
Nothing can be done to correct the G6PD deficiency. However, it need not cause any problems if you avoid:
- The medicines listed below
- Broad beans
- Contact with mothballs.
It is important that you take this list of medicines with you every time you visit the doctor or hospital.
If you develop any of these symptoms, make an urgent appointment with your doctor.
In an emergency go to a hospital accident and emergency department and make them aware of your diagnosis or take this leaflet with you.