Drugs for the prevention and treatment of malaria

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Malaria is a serious disease spread by mosquito bites infected with tiny parasites. The mosquito injects malaria parasites into your bloodstream when it bites you. Malaria is caused by parasites rather than a virus or bacteria.

Malaria can cause severe health problems such as seizures, brain damage, difficulty breathing, organ failure, and death if not treated.

Malaria is common in hot and humid tropical areas. In 2020, there were 241 million reported cases of malaria worldwide, with 627,000 deaths as a result of the disease. The vast majority of these cases take place in Africa and South Asia.

What causes malaria?

When a mosquito bites a malaria patient, the mosquito becomes infected. When that mosquito bites someone else, it introduces a parasite into their bloodstream. The parasites multiply there. Malaria parasites can infect humans in five different ways.

People who are pregnant and have malaria can pass the disease to their children before or during birth in rare cases. Malaria can be transmitted through blood transfusions, organ donations, and hypodermic needles, but this is unlikely.

Malaria Prevention and Treatment

Many of the same medications are used to prevent and treat malaria. Malaria Prevention and Treatment

Many of the same medications are used to prevent and treat malaria. The same medications that are used to treat malaria are frequently used to help prevent it.

Because there are different patterns of infection and drug resistance depending on where you travel, these drugs are chosen by geographic region.

Malarone (atovaquone and proguanil) This medication combination is generally well tolerated, with few side effects. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding a small child are not permitted to use it. Malarone prophylaxis should begin one to two days before potential malaria exposure. It is taken on a daily basis and must be continued for seven days following your trip.

Aralen (chloroquine) This drug is considered safe during pregnancy, but it is not available in some areas due to drug resistance. Chloroquine prophylaxis should begin one to two weeks before potential exposure, be taken weekly, and continue for four weeks after your trip.

Doxycycline This medication is an antibiotic that can also help prevent other infections. It is not recommended for pregnant women or young children, and potential side effects include increased sun sensitivity, stomach upset, and vaginal yeast infections in women. Doxycycline should be started one to two days before potential exposure for prophylaxis, taken daily, and should be continued for four weeks after your trip.

Lariam (mefloquine) Although this medication is considered safe during pregnancy, it is incompatible with certain psychiatric, seizure, and cardiac disorders. Lariam should be taken weekly for at least two weeks before potential exposure and should be continued for four weeks after your trip.

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