G6PD Deficiency: What It Is, How It Affects Medications, and What You Need to Know

When your body doesn’t make enough G6PD deficiency, a genetic condition where red blood cells lack the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase needed to handle oxidative stress. Also known as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, it affects millions worldwide—especially people of African, Mediterranean, or Southeast Asian descent. Without enough G6PD, your red blood cells break down too easily when exposed to certain triggers, leading to hemolytic anemia.

This isn’t just about diet. It’s about medications, common drugs that can cause life-threatening breakdown of red blood cells in people with G6PD deficiency. Things like aspirin, some antibiotics (like sulfonamides), and even antimalarials like primaquine can send your body into crisis. Even favism, a severe reaction to eating fava beans—a common trigger—is linked to the same enzyme flaw. It’s not rare. In some regions, up to 1 in 10 people carry the gene. Yet most never know they have it until they take a drug or eat beans and suddenly feel weak, jaundiced, or dark-urined.

Doctors often miss it because symptoms look like the flu or a simple infection. But if you’ve had unexplained anemia, especially after taking a new medicine or eating legumes, you might have G6PD deficiency. The good news? You don’t need to avoid all drugs—just specific ones. And knowing which ones to steer clear of can keep you out of the hospital. Many people live full, healthy lives once they learn their triggers. The key is awareness, not fear.

Below, you’ll find real-world guides on medications that can be dangerous if you have this condition, how to talk to your doctor about safe alternatives, and what to watch for when starting a new treatment. These aren’t theoretical warnings—they’re based on actual cases and clinical advice from providers who’ve seen the damage caused by ignorance. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or just curious if your symptoms might be linked, this collection gives you the facts you need to protect yourself.