Last Updated on February 2, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta
Malaria is a life-threatening condition that can be fatal if not treated promptly and is characterized by a high fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms. You run the risk of getting malaria when you visit various locations around the world, especially those with warmer, tropical climates. The primary uses for malaria pills are as a prophylactic measure and for treatment. The term ‘prophylactic medicine‘ refers to the administration of drugs to prevent illness. But taking malaria medication doesn’t always shield you from getting the disease. Therefore, this compilation lists the various antimalarial medication types, when they should be used, and their main contraindications.
What kinds of anti-malarial medications are there?
The main drugs used to treat malaria include atovaquone-proguanil, chloroquine, mefloquine, primaquine, tafenoquine, and artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs) for uncomplicated malaria. For those with severe conditions, these medications can be ingested or administered intravenously.
Many of the medications that are used to treat malaria are also those that are recommended above to prevent it. If you have malaria, you shouldn’t use the same medication you used to try to prevent it.
When must malaria medications be taken?
Please remember to seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing malaria symptoms. Before it worsens, it’s critical to begin treatment as soon as possible.
In order to determine the most appropriate medication for you, your doctor will try to identify the type of malaria infection you have. This is crucial because some malaria parasites have developed drug resistance. To help you avoid this drug resistance issue, your doctor might recommend a combination of malaria medications.
Several factors will determine the kind of medication that is prescribed for you. These primarily consist of the age and physical condition of the patient, the type of malaria infection they have, whether they took a malaria preventative medication, what kind they took, and whether they were pregnant. In addition to treating malaria, doctors may advise patients visiting malaria-endemic nations to take preventive antimalarial medication.
What are the contraindications of anti-malaria pills?
The majority of antimalarial medications have their own contraindications. These are as follows:
- It is not recommended to use chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine for patients with a G6PD deficiency because they are more likely to experience red blood cell rupture.
- Primaquine and the combination of Atovaquone and Proguanil are not advised for use in women who are pregnant, nursing mothers, or individuals who have severe G6PD deficiency.
- Contraindications to mefloquine include a history of seizures or a serious psychiatric disorders, as well as a recent history of depression or anxiety.
- Tetracycline and doxycycline are contraindicated in pregnant women, infants under the age of eight, and people who have previously experienced aggravated allergic reactions to any tetracycline antibiotic.
- Both quinine and quinidine have reduced platelets and certain cardiac conditions as contraindications.
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