Customer A : My son/ daughter has G6PD , can they take this medicine??
What is G6PD ??
G6PD is a protein found in red blood cells (rbc) that help the rbc to function normally. If there is not enough G6PD, the rbc maybe destroyed when one have fever or taking certain medicine ( haemolysis ) and this may lead to haemolytic anaemia. G6PD deficiency is a genetic- inherited - disease. The gene affecting this disease is linked to X-chromosome and so, affect males more than females.
What are the dangers G6PD deficiency posses??
Usually, people with G6PD deficiency have completely normal health. However, problems can occur occasionally when they are exposed to a drug or chemical that can cause a sudden attack of red cell breakdown.The affected person may feel unwell, pale and jaundiced (yellow) , have a backache and pass dark urine.
Problems for newborn babies
The babies with G6PD deficiency may get jaundiced in the newborn period. It is usually treated by putting the baby under a special UV light for a few days and sometimes blood transfusion. Many babies with G6PD are diagnosed because they have jaundice soon after birth. Normally, these babies will not get other complications once their jaundice have been treated, unless they took broad beans and drugs listed below. G6PD deficiency does not cause any problem in unborn child.
List of drugs that a person with G6PD should avoid:
- Ciprofloxacin
- Dapsone
- Levofloxacin
- Methylthioninium Chloride (Methylene blue)
- Moxifloxacin
- Nalidixic Acid
- Nitrofurantion
- Norfloxacin
- Ofloxacin
- Primaquine
- Rasburicase
- Sulphonamides including Cotrimoxazole (Septrin®)
Avoid eating:
- Fava (Broad) beans
Points to remember
1) Make sure to let your Dr and pharmacist knows if you have G6PD deficiency.
2) In people with severe G6PD deficiency, haemolysis may occur in other situations, e.g : infection
Some articles that you can read :
1) Medicinenet : G6PD deficiency
2) NHS : G6PD deficiency
No comments:
Post a Comment