Medicines and Products for Malaria

Malaria is treated with prescription antimalarial medicines. The choice depends on the parasite type, how severe the illness is, the person's age and pregnancy, and the local resistance pattern. Do not self-treat.

For uncomplicated falciparum malaria

In India, artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is the standard. It pairs an artemisinin drug with a partner drug and is taken for 3 days. Doctors in some regions use a different combination, so follow the local protocol.

For vivax malaria

Chloroquine is commonly used for the blood stage. Primaquine is then added to clear dormant liver parasites. Primaquine can cause serious blood breakdown in people with G6PD deficiency, so a test is usually done first. It is not used in pregnancy and in young infants.

For severe malaria

Hospital treatment with injectable artesunate, followed by an oral course. Supportive care may include fluids, blood transfusion and treatment of low sugar or kidney failure.

Medicines to relieve symptoms

• Paracetamol for fever, in the dose a doctor advises
• Anti-nausea medicine if vomiting prevents tablets staying down

Prevention medicines for travellers

Doxycycline, atovaquone with proguanil, mefloquine or chloroquine may be advised for travel to high-risk areas, depending on the destination. A travel doctor will choose one.

Cautions

• Complete the full course, even if the fever goes
• Repeat the vomiting dose if tablets come up soon after, as the doctor directs
• Tell the doctor about pregnancy, liver or kidney disease and other medicines
• Do not buy antimalarials without a prescription, and avoid fake or expired stock
• Mosquito repellents and nets are products for prevention only, not treatment

Key point

Antimalarial medicine is the treatment. Choose it with a doctor after a test confirms the type.