G6PD
Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase
What it does
G6PD deficiency causes hemolytic anemia in response to certain medications (rasburicase, primaquine, dapsone, sulfa drugs).
Why this matters for Black patients
G6PD deficiency is more common in African and Mediterranean ancestry. Several common medications (especially in malaria prevention and gout treatment) can cause life-threatening hemolysis in G6PD-deficient patients. Always test before prescribing rasburicase.
Common variants
| Variant | Phenotype | African | European |
|---|---|---|---|
| A- | G6PD deficiency (African variant) | 0.100 | 0.001 |
Note: This page is reference information, not medical advice. Pharmacogenomic differences are about ancestry, not race; race is an imperfect proxy. Discuss any medication changes with your prescriber.