A fast, evidence-based reference for people with G6PD deficiency and their families. Search any item, then check what to ask your physician or pharmacist.
Last reviewed: May 2026. Emergency numbers vary by country — in the US call 911; otherwise call your local emergency number.
Last reviewed: May 2026 (next review: May 2027) • Sources include CPIC pharmacogenetic guidelines, NIH/MedlinePlus, WHO, AAP, NCBI Bookshelf, and peer-reviewed literature.
This resource is educational and does not replace care from a licensed clinician or pharmacist.
Most people with G6PD deficiency live normal, healthy lives.
The goal is not to fear every food, medication, or supplement. The goal is to know the proven triggers, ask the right questions, and act quickly if warning signs appear.
Use only after discussing your G6PD status, dose, and monitoring plan with your clinician or pharmacist.
Why it matters
Historically listed as risky; modern reviews suggest standard antimalarial and rheumatologic doses are usually tolerated in non-severe (Class III) deficiency. Severe (Class I–II) variants warrant closer monitoring.
Symptoms to monitor
Hemolysis is uncommon at standard doses; watch for dark urine, fatigue, jaundice.
What to ask your doctor / pharmacist
What CBC monitoring do I need on this drug, and is my G6PD class known?
This item appears on some internet lists, but current evidence does not clearly support routine avoidance at normal exposure levels.
Why it matters
Often listed online as risky, but high-quality studies do not show meaningful hemolysis at recommended therapeutic doses. Generally the preferred analgesic and fever reducer in G6PD deficiency. Overdose can still cause hemolysis (and liver injury) — stay within label dosing.
Symptoms to monitor
Routine medication monitoring at therapeutic doses.
What to ask your doctor / pharmacist
What is the right dose for me or my child, and what is the daily maximum?
Generally considered safe when used appropriately, but individual needs may vary — confirm with your clinician or pharmacist.
Why it matters
Standard antibiotics with no meaningful G6PD hemolysis signal in modern reviews. Not appropriate if you have a known penicillin or cephalosporin allergy — tell your clinician.
Symptoms to monitor
Standard antibiotic side effects only.
What to ask your doctor / pharmacist
Confirm there are no sulfa or nitrofurantoin components in my prescription, and that I'm not allergic to this class.
Generally considered safe when used appropriately, but individual needs may vary — confirm with your clinician or pharmacist.
Why it matters
Generally considered safe alternatives to sulfa drugs for many infections from a G6PD standpoint. Note: doxycycline has age (typically avoided in young children) and pregnancy restrictions unrelated to G6PD — confirm with your clinician.
Symptoms to monitor
Standard side effects only.
What to ask your doctor / pharmacist
Is this a good substitute for a sulfa antibiotic given my age and other conditions?
Use only after discussing your G6PD status, dose, and monitoring plan with your clinician or pharmacist.
Why it matters
Contains vicine-like compounds; isolated case reports of hemolysis, particularly from the seeds. Cooked flesh in normal culinary amounts has not been clearly linked to harm.
Symptoms to monitor
Dark urine, jaundice, fatigue within 24–48 hours.
What to ask your doctor / pharmacist
Should I avoid bitter melon seeds and concentrated supplements?
High-dose intravenous vitamin C (pharmacologic doses, typically ≥15 g IV)
Herb/Supplement
Evidence of harm: Strong
Avoid
Do not use unless a qualified clinician determines the benefit outweighs the risk and monitoring is in place.
Why it matters
Pharmacologic IV doses (commonly 15–100 g, e.g., in oncology or 'wellness' infusions) can cause severe, sometimes fatal hemolysis and acute kidney injury. Standard hospital doses (1–2 g IV) have not been clearly linked to hemolysis but should still be cleared with your clinician.
Symptoms to monitor
Dark urine, jaundice, back/flank pain within hours — seek emergency care.
What to ask your doctor / pharmacist
Has G6PD been confirmed before any high-dose IV vitamin C infusion? What is the planned dose?
Traditional herbal mixes containing camphor, naphthalene, borneol, or unidentified dyes
Herb/Supplement
Evidence of harm: Moderate
Use Caution
Use only after discussing your G6PD status, dose, and monitoring plan with your clinician or pharmacist.
Why it matters
Multiple case series link traditional preparations of uncertain composition (especially infant tonics and topical balms) to hemolysis. Risk is highest in newborns and infants.
Symptoms to monitor
Jaundice, dark urine, pallor — seek urgent care, especially in infants.
What to ask your doctor / pharmacist
Can a pharmacist or clinician review every ingredient in this product before I or my child uses it?
Use only after discussing your G6PD status, dose, and monitoring plan with your clinician or pharmacist.
Why it matters
High oxygen exposure increases oxidative stress; a small number of case reports describe hemolysis in G6PD-deficient patients. Discuss with hematology before HBOT.
Symptoms to monitor
Dark urine, fatigue, jaundice during or after therapy.
What to ask your doctor / pharmacist
Has hematology cleared me for HBOT, and what monitoring will be done during sessions?
Acute infection or illness (fever, sepsis, viral illness)
Treatment
Evidence of harm: Strong
Use Caution
Use only after discussing your G6PD status, dose, and monitoring plan with your clinician or pharmacist.
Why it matters
Infection is the single most common trigger of hemolysis in G6PD deficiency — more common than food or medication. Always tell the clinician treating an infection that you have G6PD deficiency so they avoid sulfa drugs, nitrofurantoin, and other triggers.
Symptoms to monitor
Dark/cola-colored urine, jaundice, pallor, or extreme fatigue during an illness — seek urgent medical care.
What to ask your doctor / pharmacist
Given my G6PD deficiency, which antibiotic or antiviral is safest for this infection?
Generally considered safe when used appropriately, but individual needs may vary — confirm with your clinician or pharmacist.
Why it matters
Most modern anesthetics are safe. Inform the anesthesia team — they will avoid drugs like prilocaine and large doses of benzocaine that can cause methemoglobinemia.
Symptoms to monitor
Routine surgical monitoring.
What to ask your doctor / pharmacist
Will the anesthesia team avoid prilocaine, large-dose benzocaine, and methylene blue?
Source
AAGBI; anesthesia reviews.
Last updated: May 2026
Blood transfusion (during severe hemolysis)
Treatment
Safety evidence
Generally Considered Safe
Generally considered safe when used appropriately, but individual needs may vary — confirm with your clinician or pharmacist.
Why it matters
Lifesaving in severe hemolytic anemia. Standard donor blood is appropriate.
Symptoms to monitor
—
What to ask your doctor / pharmacist
What hemoglobin level would trigger a transfusion for me?
Source
Hematology guidelines.
Last updated: May 2026
Phototherapy for neonatal jaundice
Treatment
Safety evidence
Generally Considered Safe
Generally considered safe when used appropriately, but individual needs may vary — confirm with your clinician or pharmacist.
Why it matters
First-line treatment for jaundice in G6PD-deficient newborns. Safe and effective.
Symptoms to monitor
Close bilirubin monitoring.
What to ask your doctor / pharmacist
What bilirubin level requires phototherapy for my baby?
AvoidStrong evidence of hemolysis risk. Do not use unless a clinician decides benefit clearly outweighs risk and monitors closely.
Use CautionReal but variable risk. Often dose-dependent or only risky in severe (Class I) deficiency. Ask your physician or pharmacist.
Often Listed — Weak EvidenceOften listed online as risky, but high-quality studies do not show clear harm at normal exposures. Discuss with your clinician before changing anything.
Generally Considered SafeReasonable, evidence-based options that are generally considered safe for people with G6PD deficiency when used appropriately.