A 35-year-old patient with confirmed Plasmodium vivax malaria is prescribed primaquine for radical cure to prevent relapse. What is the recommended daily dose and duration as per NVBDCP guidelines?

• A 15 mg daily for 5 days
• B 15 mg daily for 14 days ✓
• C 25 mg daily for 5 days
• D 30 mg daily for 14 days

Explanation

NVBDCP prescribes primaquine 15 mg base daily for 14 days as radical cure for P. vivax to eliminate hypnozoites and prevent relapse. The dose is weight-independent in Indian guidelines. G6PD deficiency testing is mandatory before starting primaquine to avoid hemolysis. Option A uses the correct dose but wrong duration; Option C and D are incorrect doses.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 26th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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