Free

E-Newsletters

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Treatments and drugs

By Mayo Clinic staff

The types of drugs and the length of treatment will vary, depending on:

  • Which type of malaria parasite you have
  • The severity of your symptoms
  • Your age
  • Whether you're pregnant

Medications
The most common antimalarial drugs include:

  • Chloroquine (Aralen)
  • Quinine sulfate (Qualaquin)
  • Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)
  • Mefloquine
  • Combination of atovaquone and proguanil (Malarone)

The history of antimalarial medicine has been marked by a constant struggle between evolving drug-resistant parasites and the search for new drug formulations. In many parts of the world, for instance, resistance to chloroquine has rendered the drug ineffective.

References
  1. Ashraf A, et al. Malaria. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/199988049-9/0/2088/391.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00022-8--sc0015_8054. Accessed May 7, 2010.
  2. Krogstad DJ. Malaria. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/199988049-9/0/1492/1254.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50371-2--cesec19_15544. Accessed May 7, 2010.
  3. Malaria: Frequently asked questions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/faqs.html. Accessed May 10, 2010.
  4. Malaria vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/features/vaccines.html. Accessed May 7, 2010.
  5. Arguin PM, et al. Prevention of malaria infection in travelers. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 7, 2010.
  6. Breman JG. Clinical manifestations of malaria. http://www.uptodate.com/html/index.html. Accessed May 11, 2010.
  7. Malaria diagnosis (United States). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/diagnosis_treatment/diagnosis.html. Accessed May 11, 2010.
  8. Treatment of malaria (guidelines for clinicians). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/resources/pdf/clinicalguidance.pdf. Accessed May 11, 2010.
DS00475 July 31, 2010

© 1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger