Drugs People with G6PD Deficiency Should Avoid

G6PD or Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase is an enzyme naturally found in the body, which helps in the proper function of red blood cells. Deficiency takes place when the amount of G6PD in the red blood cells is below the normal level, hence, it is called G6PD Deficiency or sometimes referred to as favism.

Most of the time, people with G6PD deficiency are completely healthy, but for some, it may cause serious health problems.

Problems Involving G6PD Deficiency

G6PD-deficient people may experience complications due to this condition. A mother who has favism has a tendency to pass it on to her children, who may experience yellowing or jaundice shortly after birth. This is more likely to happen with baby boys. Untreated jaundice can become severe and may be fatal for newborn babies. Jaundice is usually treated with UV light exposure for a few days until the yellowing subsides. Most of the babies that are diagnosed with G6PD shortly after birth experience jaundice.

Children and adults who are G6PD-deficient may develop conditions like anaemia and haemolysis when “triggered”. Triggers include: fever, certain medicines, eating fava beans. The child may or may not show symptoms of haemolysis when exposed to one of these triggers. Serious cases, however, may show symptoms of severe anaemia, such as pale skin, rapid heartbeat and breathing, fatigue, shortness of breath, backache, jaundice, and dark urine (almost like tea).

Medicines People with G6PD Deficiency Should Avoid

• acetylsalicylic acid​ (ASA or Aspirin​)
• ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
• chloramphenicol
• chloroquine
• dapsone
• dimercaprol
• doxorubicin
• mepacrine
• methylene blue
• methyldopa  
• nalidixic acid
• naphthalene
• nitrofurantoin
• phenazopyridine
• primaquine
• quinine
• sulfacetamide
• sulfadiazine
• sulfamethoxazole (Co-trimoxazole, Septra)
• sulfanilamide
• sulfapyridine
• sulfisoxazole (Pediazole)
• toluidine blue

Keep in mind that some medicines that are not listed here may still trigger the symptoms of G6PD Deficiency. Always consult your doctor before giving any medicine. Apart from these medicines, close contact with naphthalene or mothballs should be avoided as well.

G6pD Deficiency Classifications

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase or G6pD deficiency is a hereditary disorder that affects the body’s red blood cells. G6pD is one of the body systems’ many enzymes crucial in the processing of carbohydrates into energy.

G6pD Deficiency Symptoms - Keep Your Eyes Open To These

G6pd is a hereditary disorder in which there isn't enough, or the body does not have the enzyme g6pd or glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase. G6pd deficiency symptoms appear when a person is exposed to foods, medicines and substances prohibited for the patient.

Foods to Avoid By People With G6PD Deficiency

There are many foods to avoid by people with g6pd deficiency; including medicines and other substances. It has to be strictly followed to avoid anemia; because it is the red blood cells that doesn't function properly in cases of glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Special Diet For G6pD Patients

G6PD or glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase is a condition in which the body doesn't have enough of these enzymes which are very important for the red blood cells to function normally. Special diet for g6pd patients has to be observed for them to live a normal, and healthy life.

Vitamins and Minerals: Are These Safe for G6pD Defiecient People?

People with G6pD deficiency (also known as Favism) have special dietary needs. They cannot ingest certain kind of foods and enzymes. Moreover, most patients are wondering if they are allowed to take vitamin or mineral supplements.

G6pD Deficiency Test

It is not easy to detect G6pD deficiency on a baby using your naked eye, but with the proper tests, you will be able to determine if you or your baby has G6pD deficiency. Almost all physicians know how to test a person for favism, and he is only required to draw some blood from the person to be tested.