Krintafel (tafenoquine)
Also marketed as Arakoda. An investigational treatment for Babesiosis.
The same compound appears under different names depending on the context. Here is how to identify Tafenoquine wherever you encounter it, plus the key facts at a glance.
- Generic name
- Tafenoquine
- Brand names
- Krintafel, Arakoda
- Development code
- WR 238605
- Drug class
- Antimalarial / Antiparasitic
- Manufacturer
- 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals
- How it's taken
- Dosing for the B-FREE babesiosis trial has not been publicly disclosed.
An antimalarial drug approved in the U.S. as Arakoda for malaria prevention and, as GSK's Krintafel, to prevent relapse of P. vivax malaria. It is now being studied in a Phase 2 trial (B-FREE) in people with chronic babesiosis and severe fatigue.
How Tafenoquine works
Tafenoquine is an 8-aminoquinoline that generates reactive oxygen species inside parasite-infected red blood cells, killing the Babesia parasites. Unlike atovaquone, it has a long half-life (approximately 14 to 19 days), which may help prevent relapse in patients with chronic or relapsing babesiosis.
Mechanism: 8-aminoquinoline antimalarial that generates reactive metabolites toxic to intraerythrocytic parasites
Side effects and safety
G6PD testing is mandatory before starting tafenoquine. Patients with G6PD deficiency can develop severe hemolytic anemia from this drug. Other side effects include nausea, headache, dizziness, and rare psychiatric effects including vivid dreams and anxiety. Methemoglobinemia has been reported.
This is not a complete list of side effects. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what to expect and when to seek medical attention.
Taking Tafenoquine
Dosing for the B-FREE babesiosis trial has not been publicly disclosed. For malaria, it is given as a single oral dose (300 mg). The long half-life means fewer doses may be needed compared to standard babesiosis treatment.
Availability and cost
Only available as the brand-name product.
Clinical trial results
The B-FREE study (NCT06656351) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, sponsored by 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals, is an open-label Phase 2 trial of a 90-day tafenoquine regimen in about 40 people with chronic babesiosis and severe fatigue. Its main measure is the change in fatigue at Day 90. It began in November 2025 and is recruiting. 60 Degrees is also running a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (NCT06207370) that adds tafenoquine or placebo to standard treatment in people hospitalized with babesiosis at 5 Northeastern hospitals, plus an expanded access study (NCT06478641) for relapsing babesiosis. As of September 2026 the company says all 3 evaluable expanded access patients were cured, and it plans to ask the FDA to add babesiosis to the Arakoda label.
Explore Babesiosis trials
Other Babesiosis treatments
Where to access Tafenoquine
Investigational — available only through clinical trial enrollment
Tafenoquine has not been approved by the FDA and is not available by prescription. The only way for a patient to receive Tafenoquine today is by enrolling in an active clinical trial and meeting that trial's eligibility criteria. Decisions about trial participation should be made with a nephrologist familiar with the patient's current treatment and kidney function.
Trial status, site list, and eligibility are pulled from ClinicalTrials.gov. Confirm current recruitment status and nearest site directly with the study team before traveling.
Common questions about Tafenoquine
▸What is Tafenoquine (Krintafel)?
An antimalarial drug approved in the U.S. as Arakoda for malaria prevention and, as GSK's Krintafel, to prevent relapse of P. vivax malaria. It is now being studied in a Phase 2 trial (B-FREE) in people with chronic babesiosis and severe fatigue.
▸How does Tafenoquine work?
Tafenoquine is an 8-aminoquinoline that generates reactive oxygen species inside parasite-infected red blood cells, killing the Babesia parasites. Unlike atovaquone, it has a long half-life (approximately 14 to 19 days), which may help prevent relapse in patients with chronic or relapsing babesiosis.
▸What are the side effects of Tafenoquine?
G6PD testing is mandatory before starting tafenoquine. Patients with G6PD deficiency can develop severe hemolytic anemia from this drug. Other side effects include nausea, headache, dizziness, and rare psychiatric effects including vivid dreams and anxiety. Methemoglobinemia has been reported.
▸How is Tafenoquine taken?
Dosing for the B-FREE babesiosis trial has not been publicly disclosed. For malaria, it is given as a single oral dose (300 mg). The long half-life means fewer doses may be needed compared to standard babesiosis treatment.
▸Is Tafenoquine FDA approved?
Tafenoquine is currently in phase 2 clinical trials for Babesiosis. It has not yet received FDA approval.
Sources and references
Every factual claim on this page is drawn from the public sources listed below. Click any reference to open the original document.
- ClinicalTrials.gov. B-FREE Chronic Babesiosis Study: A Phase 2 Open Label Study of Tafenoquine for Treatment of Chronic Babesiosis Patients With Severe Fatigue. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06656351
- 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals (SEC filing) · 2026-09-14. 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals Form 8-K: Submission of Statement of Interest for Commissioner's National Priority Voucher. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1946563/000121390026099702/ea0305442-8k_60degree.htm