Anti-Malaria treatment Malarone

Similar to all medications, Malarone may have side effects, although not everyone experiences them. Pay attention to potential severe reactions, which have occurred in a small number of individuals, though their exact frequency is unknown.  

• Severe allergic reactions may manifest as rash, itching, sudden wheezing, tightness of the chest or throat, difficulty breathing, or swelling of eyelids, face, lips, tongue, or other body parts.  

Seek immediate medical attention if you encounter these symptoms and cease taking Malarone.  

• Watch for severe skin reactions like blistering rashes resembling small targets (erythema multiforme) or widespread rash with blisters and peeling skin (Stevens-Johnson syndrome).  

Urgently contact a doctor if these symptoms arise. 

The majority of reported side effects have been mild and short-lived.  

Very common side effects affecting more than 1 in 10 people include headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhoea.  

Common side effects affecting up to 1 in 10 people encompass dizziness, insomnia, strange dreams, depression, loss of appetite, fever, itchy rash, and cough.  

Common side effects observable in blood tests consist of reduced red and white blood cell counts, low sodium levels, and elevated liver enzymes.  

Uncommon side effects affecting up to 1 in 100 people involve anxiety, palpitations, mouth swelling and redness, hair loss, and hives. Uncommon side effects detected in blood tests encompass increased amylase levels. 

Rare side effects affecting up to 1 in 1,000 people include hallucinations.  

Other side effects with an unknown frequency comprise hepatitis, cholestasis (bile duct blockage), increased heart rate, vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels), seizures, panic attacks, crying, nightmares, severe mental health problems, indigestion, mouth ulcers, blisters, peeling skin, and heightened skin sensitivity to sunlight. Blood test-detected side effects may include a decrease in all types of blood cells (pancytopenia). 

Always read the patient information leaflet for Malarone before taking it. 

Malarone tablets contain 250 mg of atovaquone and 100 mg of proguanil hydrochloride in each tablet as active ingredients. The tablets are round, pink, and film-coated, with 'GX CM3' engraved on one side. They come in blister packs containing 12 tablets.

Malaria can affect anyone. Fortunately, it's a serious but preventable condition. Alongside taking Malarone, it's crucial to adopt measures to steer clear of mosquito bites:  

• Apply insect repellent on exposed skin areas.  

• Wear light-colored clothing that covers most of your body, particularly after sunset when mosquitoes are most active.  

• Opt for sleeping in a screened room or beneath a mosquito net treated with insecticide.  

• Seal windows and doors at sunset if they lack screens.  

• Consider using insecticides like mats, sprays, or plug-ins to clear a room of insects or deter mosquitoes. 

Refrain from discontinuing Malarone without seeking advice. Keep taking Malarone for seven days after returning to a malaria-free area to ensure maximum protection. Stopping prematurely increases the risk of malaria, as it takes a full 7 days to eliminate any parasites in your blood that may result from a mosquito bite. 

For adults, the typical prescribed dosage is one tablet per day, administered as follows. To guard against malaria in adults: 

• commence Malarone 1 to 2 days prior to traveling to a malaria-prone region 

• consistently take the medication daily throughout your stay

• sustain the regimen for an additional 7 days after returning to an area free of malaria 

It is not advisable for malaria prevention in children or adults weighing less than 40 kgs. Instead, Malarone pediatric tablets are recommended for individuals in this weight category.