Malaria Tablets

If you have malaria, you will need treatment. This is given in the form of anti-malarials and they combat the disease by inhibiting the growth of the parasite. The drugs are usually given in combinations because there is not one drug that can target all parts of the parasites lifestyle. Therefore, you need to take two or more medications in order to ensure that the parasite has been killed.  It also depends on the geographical location of the parasite as to which malaria tablets you will be given.

There are many different types of tablets and there are approximately four drug classes. Malaria can be treated by antifolates, quinolone related compounds, antimicrobials or artemisinin derivatives. One drug used is called Malarone. This contains atovaquone and proguanil. These two drugs will inhibit the metabolic enzymes of the parasite Plasmodium Falciparum that will kill the parasite. It is a treatment that is usually used in children and the dosage depends on the body weight of the child. Pregnant women should not take this type of anti-malarial.


Another tablet that you may be prescribed is Doxycycline. This medication can be used as either treatment or prophylaxis so it may also have been given to you when you visited the area in order to prevent malaria. It is often used in combination therapy. It is not given to children under the age of 12 or to pregnant women. Clindamycin is also used in combination therapy for drug resistant malaria.

Mefloquine, also known as lariam, contains Mefloquine hydrochloride and works by raising the pH in the cells. This will make an unfavourable acidic environment and the parasite will not be able to grow. However, not everyone can use this medication as you cannot use it if you have epilepsy, kidney problems, heart problems, galactose intolerance or if you have recently had a live vaccine. It can be used for both treatment and prophylaxis.

Aralen contains Chloroquine phosphate and will work against plasmodium vivax, ovale and malariae. It is also used to against sensitive malaria. It is a popular drug of choice and used for prophylactic reasons. Qualaquin on the other hand can only be used for treatment and contains quinine. It is often used in conjunction with Doxycycline.

If you have severe or complicated malaria, you will usually be treated with Quinidine Glucoronate. This is used with another drug agent and it is usually used with Doxycycline, Clindamycin or Tetracycline. Tetracycline is used to treat malaria and although it is slow, it is very potent because it can cause abnormal cell division so that the parasite cannot multiply.

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