There are various anti - malarial drugs that are used to prevent malaria while traveling to a malaria endemic area and to cover it when infect . The pick of anti - malarial drug depends on the prevalence of the parasite in the area and its sensitivity to the anti - malarial drug .
The most common anti - malarial drugs that are used are :
These drugs are either used alone or in combination to do by or prevent malaria . No drug is penny percent effective and proper step should be taken to prevent mosquito bite as to foreclose transmitting of malarial sponger .
What Are The Side Effects Of Taking Malaria Pills?
Malarone
Malarone is the most popular drug used in the prophylaxis and intervention of malaria . It is a compounding of two drugs : atovaquone and proguanil . It is most effective against P. falciparum and where sponge are resistant to chloroquine and mefloquine . For prophylaxis , Malarone is taken once a day ; it is take off 1 to 2 days prior to travel , taken daily during the change of location and carry on until 1 week after issue from travel . Though , Malarone is well support and rarely has side - effects , but it is comparatively more expensive than other anti - malarials .
The common side - gist of Malarone areheadache , nausea , vomiting , abdominal painfulness , diarrhea , weakness , loss of appetency , bright dreams , kip issues , coughing and fever . rarified side - effects with Malarone admit increased nub rate , speedy / trouble breathing , rash , itch , swelling and erythema around the sassing , mouth ulcer , cutis shedding , anxiousness , capture , hepatitis and anemia . However , these side - effect are highly rare and most of the time Malarone is well put up than other antimalarial drug . It is usually contraindicated in fraught and nurse women and also in people with renal nonstarter .
Chloroquine
This is a weekly medication that is started 1 to 2 weeks prior to travel , taken during the check and go on 4 calendar week after reappearance from change of location . It is dependable to use in gestation . The plebeian side - effects of chloroquine are stomach upset , hazy vision , pruritic rash . Retinal damage and even cecity can bechance if take for longer menstruation . It should be avoided in affected role withpsoriasis , epilepsy , porphyria , myasthenia gravisand hypoglycemia .
Doxycycline
Doxycycline is take day by day and is started 1 to 2 day prior to travel and keep until 4 weeks after the change of location . It is the most cost effective drug amongst all . It is contraindicate in pregnant women and children less than 8 years of historic period . The common side - effects includeyeast infection , belly upset , pyrosis , sensitivity to sunlight and it may also stimulate hypersensitive response . It has been know to interact with contraceptive oral contraceptive pill .
Mefloquine
Mefloquine is taken weekly and commence at least 2 to 3 week prior to traveling and continued until 4 weeks after the trip-up . It is safe during pregnancy . P. falciparum , the most common parasite in African subcontinent is resistive to mefloquine . The unwashed side - effects of mefloquine are log Z’s problems ( either insomnia or somnolence ) , vivid dreams , depression , anxiety , dizziness , worry , ocular changes , vertigo , mood alteration , impatience , nausea and vomiting , diarrhea , abdominal annoyance , itch and may also cause supersensitized reactions in people who are hypersensitive to it . It is contraindicate in psychiatric patients with a history of depression , anxiousness , psychosis and epilepsy . In the great unwashed who have experience lightheadedness and loss of counterbalance with mefloquine ; the symptoms have been do it to stay for workweek even after discontinuance of medicine . When these side - gist are experienced , it is best to stop medicine and contact a doctor .
Proguanil
Proguanil is taken daily and is initiate 1 to 2 days prior to travel and continued until 4 weeks after travel . It is usually give in combining with other anti - malarial drugs . It is one of the safest anti - malarial drugs , but sassing ulcer is the most common side - effect along with headache , giddiness , myalgia , nausea , puking , looseness of the bowels , abdominal pain or fever .
Primaquine
Primaquine is aim daily and started 1 to 2 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. prior to traveling and proceed until 7 days after the travel . It is the most potent drug against P. vivax . It is contraindicated in patients with G6PD ( glucose-6 - phosphatase dehydrogenase lack ) and also pregnant and knocker feeding women . The common side - impression of it includes nausea , worried stomach , regurgitation , loss of appetency and abdominal pain .
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