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Overview: Arakoda is used to prevent malaria. Do not take this medicine if you have G6PD deficiency or have not been tested for it. Common side effects of Arakoda include nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness. Do not breastfeed without talking with your health care provider or get pregnant for three months after your treatment with Arakoda. Get emergency help if your lips, nail beds, or urine (pee) are dark in color or you have any skin color changes or shortness of breath.

Uses

What is Arakoda used for?

Arakoda (tafenoquine) is commonly used to prevent malaria (an infection from parasites that can lead to death, often from a mosquito bite).

Arakoda may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Arakoda work (mechanism of action)?

Arakoda works by killing parasites that cause malaria.

How is Arakoda supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Arakoda

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 100 mg oral tablets

How should I store Arakoda?

Arakoda should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. 

Keep Arakoda tablets that come in a bottle in its original container to protect the tablets from moisture. Only remove a tablet from the blister pack when you are ready to take it. 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Arakoda?

The most common side effects of Arakoda are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Dizziness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headache
  • Back pain
  • Motion sickness
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Abnormal dreams

There may be other side effects of Arakoda that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Arakoda?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Arakoda are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Arakoda may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Arakoda and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Hemolytic Anemia. Arakoda may cause your red blood cells to be destroyed, which is called hemolytic anemia. Having a condition called G6PD deficiency increases your risk. Your health care provider should test you for G6PD deficiency before you take Arakoda. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of hemolytic anemia.

  • Dark urine (pee)
  • Dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Tiredness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pale skin
  • Yellowish eyes or skin

Methemoglobinemia. Arakoda can cause a serious blood disorder called methemoglobinemia. Hemoglobin is a protein that normally carries oxygen in your blood. Methemoglobinemia is when you have too much of a form of hemoglobin called methemoglobin. If you have methemoglobinemia, it is harder for your body to get oxygen to your tissues. Stop taking Arakoda and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of methemoglobinemia.

  • Changes in the color of your skin, including pale, gray, or blue skin
  • Headache
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feeling lightheaded
  • Tiredness or weakness

Mental Health Problems. Arakoda can cause certain mental health conditions, including psychosis. If you are about to harm yourself, call 911 or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Let your health care provider know right away if you have any of the following symptoms or if you have been told by others that you have these symptoms.

  • Anxiety
  • Mood changes
  • Having false or strange thoughts
  • Hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, or otherwise perceiving things that others do not
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Nightmares
  • Depression
  • Confusion
  • New or increased thoughts of suicide or death

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Arakoda?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Arakoda.

  • Arakoda
  • Krintafel
  • Tafenoquine
  • Any other medicine known as an 8-aminoquinoline
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Arakoda.

G6PD Deficiency. Do not take Arakoda if you have G6PD deficiency. Your health care provider will likely test you for G6PD deficiency before you take Arakoda.

Mental Health Conditions. You should not take Arakoda if you have had psychosis or if you have psychotic symptoms such as false beliefs that you are being controlled (delusions) or hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, or otherwise perceiving things that others do not (hallucinations).

Breastfeeding. You may not be able to take Arakoda if you are breastfeeding. See the Breastfeeding section for more details.

What should I know about Arakoda before using it?

Do not take Arakoda unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Arakoda with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Arakoda out of the reach of children.

Take Arakoda with food.

Do not break, crush, or chew Arakoda tablets.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, your baby could be harmed if they have G6PD deficiency. See the Pregnancy and Breastfeeding sections for more information.

Malaria can be life-threatening. Use other methods to prevent mosquito bites. For example, use bug repellent, bed nets, and protective clothing. If you get a fever, get medical care because you may have been exposed to malaria.

You may have side effects days or weeks after taking Arakoda because the medicine stays in your body for a while.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Arakoda?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Arakoda is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Mental health conditions
  • Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) reductase deficiency
  • Kidney or liver problems

Other Medicines and Supplements. Arakoda may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Arakoda, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Arakoda may cause harm to a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should have a negative pregnancy test result before taking Arakoda. If you can become pregnant, use effective birth control while taking Arakoda and for three months after your last dose. Talk to your health care provider about your birth control options. If you become pregnant or if you think you might be pregnant, contact your health care provider right away.

Breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed while taking Arakoda and for three months after your last dose if your baby has G6PD deficiency or if it is unknown if your baby has G6PD deficiency. It is not known if Arakoda passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. If your baby does not have G6PD deficiency, your health care provider will let you know if you should take Arakoda while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Arakoda?

For more information about Arakoda, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.arakoda.com or call them at 888-834-0225.

Interactions

Does Arakoda interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Arakoda and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Arakoda, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infection.

Does Arakoda interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Arakoda.

  • Dofetilide (Tikosyn), which is a medicine used to help keep a normal heart rhythm in people who have had atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter
  • Metformin (Glumetza), which is a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes

Arakoda may alter the blood levels of some other medicines. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Arakoda. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Arakoda?

If you or someone else has used too much Arakoda, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Arakoda?

If you miss one daily dose, take it as soon as you remember and continue to take your daily doses for a total of three daily doses. If you miss two daily doses, take one dose each day for two days in a row so that you have taken a total of three daily doses. Start taking your weekly doses one week after your last daily dose.

If you miss one weekly dose, take it as soon as you remember, up to the time that your next weekly dose is due. If you miss two weekly doses, take it as soon as you remember, on any day before your next weekly dose is due. If you miss three or more weekly doses, take one dose each day for two days, up to the time that your next weekly dose is due.

If you miss the last dose, which should be taken seven days after the last dose you took while you were in a malaria area, take this dose as soon as you remember.

It is important to complete your prescribed course of Arakoda.