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Malaria is a serious, potentially fatal infectious disease that is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium. The disease spreads from person to person through the bites of infected mosquitoes. People who get malaria get very sick with a flu-like illness, with symptoms such as high fever, shaking chills, sweats, muscle aches, headaches, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Roughly 2,000 cases of malaria are diagnosed in the United States each year, mostly in immigrants and travelers returning from parts of the world where the disease is prevalent, i.e., South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Globally, malaria affects more than 225 million people and claims more than 400,000 lives each year, mostly of children in Africa.
Medications for Malaria
There are several antimalarial drugs available for people planning to travel from the United States to areas where the disease is endemic. The recommended antimalarial medication depends on the area of travel. Also, it is worth remembering that antimalarial drugs are not 100% effective. You should combine the use of these medications with other preventative measures like wearing long sleeves and long pants to prevent mosquito bites, using insect repellant, and sleeping in a mosquito-free setting like a bed with a net. The following medications are recommended for travelers to areas where malaria is prevalent.
Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone) is started 1-2 days before travel, taken one tablet daily during travel, and continued for 7 days after travel. It is, therefore, good for last-minute travel and short trips. Pediatric tablets are available. However, this medication cannot be used in pregnant or breastfeeding women or people with severe kidney dysfunction. Malarone can be more expensive than some of the other antimalarial drugs. Also, some people prefer not to take medication every day.
Chloroquine (Aralen) is started 1-2 weeks before travel, taken once weekly during travel, and must be continued for 4 weeks after travel. It is, therefore, a good choice for longer trips and planned travel. Chloroquine can be used during pregnancy. However, it may not be effective in some areas where there is chloroquine or mefloquine resistance.
Doxycycline (Doryx, Doxylin) is started 1-2 days before travel, taken daily during travel, and must be continued 4 weeks after travel. It is, therefore, good for shorter trips and last-minute travel. It can be used in pregnant women and children over 8 years old. Doxycycline is one of the least expensive antimalarial drugs. It also protects against some other infections like leptospirosis and Rickettsiae, so it may be preferred in people who are planning on hiking, camping, or swimming in freshwater.
Mefloquine (Lariam) needs to be started 2 weeks before travel, is taken weekly during travel, and must be continued for 4 weeks after travel. It is, therefore, good for longer trips. It can be used during pregnancy. However, mefloquine cannot be used if you are traveling to an area where there is resistance against this drug.
Primaquine is effective against a specific type of malaria parasite called Plasmodium vivax and is therefore recommended for travel to areas where this type is prevalent. It is started 1-2 days before travel, taken daily during travel, and must be continued for 7 days after traveling. Primaquine is therefore preferred for short trips and last-minute travel. Travelers planning on taking primaquine need to get tested for G6PD deficiency – G6PD is an enzyme. Testing is necessary because primaquine cannot be used in people who have a known deficiency of this enzyme or who have not been tested. Also, primaquine cannot be used in pregnant women. It also cannot be given to breastfeeding women whose infants have not been tested for G6PD deficiency.
Tafenoquine (Arakoda) is started 3 days before travel, taken weekly during travel, and must be continued for 1 week after travel. It is, therefore, good for short trips and last-minute travel. Tafenoquine is effective against Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum, two types of the malaria parasite, so it is preferred for travel to areas where these variants are prevalent. However, tafenoquine cannot be used by children, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, or individuals with psychotic disorders.
Over-the-Counter Medications for Malaria High Fever
Medications used to protect against malaria require a prescription from a licensed medical provider in the United States. It is recommended that you speak to a healthcare provider to decide which antimalarial drug will be suitable for you depending on your age, health status, and travel itinerary.
Common Side Effects of Anti-Malaria Medications
Atovaquone and proguanil combination is usually well tolerated with few side effects. When present, side effects may include upset stomach, headaches, mouth ulcers, and skin rash.
Potential side effects of chloroquine include nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach, headache, rash, and itching. This medication can make psoriasis (a skin condition) worse.
Doxycycline can cause stomach upset, heartburn, and thrush as side effects. This medication may not be recommended in women prone to getting vaginal yeast infections. It is also not recommended in individuals who are planning considerable sun exposure because it increases the risk of sun sensitivity and sunburn.
Mefloquine is not recommended in patients with certain psychiatric conditions, seizure disorders, and cardiac conduction problems. Possible side effects of mefloquine include dizziness, insomnia, vivid dreams, headaches, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and hallucinations.
Primaquine can cause side effects such as an upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and heartburn.
Common Questions
How soon do you get sick with malaria after you’re bitten by an infected mosquito?
Most people develop symptoms 10 days to 4 weeks after the infection. Some types of the malaria parasite can remain dormant in the liver for months to years. In such cases, when the parasite comes out of hibernation, it can cause delayed malaria high fever sickness.
I am traveling outside the United States. How do I know if I need to take drugs to prevent malaria?
The CDC has a list of countries where malaria transmission is prevalent and where antimalarial drugs are recommended. Your healthcare provider will help you decide on the best antimalarial drug for you based on your age, health history, allergies, pregnancy status, and other factors.
Can I get a discount on antimalarial medications with BuzzRx?
Yes, you can get discounts on some medicines—including anti-malaria drugs—as long as you have a signed prescription from your doctor.
References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/malaria/symptoms-causes/syc-20351184
https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/faqs.html
Common Malaria High Fever Health Medications
Malaria High Fever
Get the latest information on common prescription and over-the-counter malaria high fever drugs.
Malaria is a serious, potentially fatal infectious disease that is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium. The disease spreads from person to person through the bites of infected mosquitoes. People who get malaria get very sick with a flu-like illness, with symptoms such as high fever, shaking chills, sweats, muscle aches, headaches, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Roughly 2,000 cases of malaria are diagnosed in the United States each year, mostly in immigrants and travelers returning from parts of the world where the disease is prevalent, i.e., South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Globally, malaria affects more than 225 million people and claims more than 400,000 lives each year, mostly of children in Africa.
Medications for Malaria
There are several antimalarial drugs available for people planning to travel from the United States to areas where the disease is endemic. The recommended antimalarial medication depends on the area of travel. Also, it is worth remembering that antimalarial drugs are not 100% effective. You should combine the use of these medications with other preventative measures like wearing long sleeves and long pants to prevent mosquito bites, using insect repellant, and sleeping in a mosquito-free setting like a bed with a net. The following medications are recommended for travelers to areas where malaria is prevalent.
Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone) is started 1-2 days before travel, taken one tablet daily during travel, and continued for 7 days after travel. It is, therefore, good for last-minute travel and short trips. Pediatric tablets are available. However, this medication cannot be used in pregnant or breastfeeding women or people with severe kidney dysfunction. Malarone can be more expensive than some of the other antimalarial drugs. Also, some people prefer not to take medication every day.
Chloroquine (Aralen) is started 1-2 weeks before travel, taken once weekly during travel, and must be continued for 4 weeks after travel. It is, therefore, a good choice for longer trips and planned travel. Chloroquine can be used during pregnancy. However, it may not be effective in some areas where there is chloroquine or mefloquine resistance.
Doxycycline (Doryx, Doxylin) is started 1-2 days before travel, taken daily during travel, and must be continued 4 weeks after travel. It is, therefore, good for shorter trips and last-minute travel. It can be used in pregnant women and children over 8 years old. Doxycycline is one of the least expensive antimalarial drugs. It also protects against some other infections like leptospirosis and Rickettsiae, so it may be preferred in people who are planning on hiking, camping, or swimming in freshwater.
Mefloquine (Lariam) needs to be started 2 weeks before travel, is taken weekly during travel, and must be continued for 4 weeks after travel. It is, therefore, good for longer trips. It can be used during pregnancy. However, mefloquine cannot be used if you are traveling to an area where there is resistance against this drug.
Primaquine is effective against a specific type of malaria parasite called Plasmodium vivax and is therefore recommended for travel to areas where this type is prevalent. It is started 1-2 days before travel, taken daily during travel, and must be continued for 7 days after traveling. Primaquine is therefore preferred for short trips and last-minute travel. Travelers planning on taking primaquine need to get tested for G6PD deficiency – G6PD is an enzyme. Testing is necessary because primaquine cannot be used in people who have a known deficiency of this enzyme or who have not been tested. Also, primaquine cannot be used in pregnant women. It also cannot be given to breastfeeding women whose infants have not been tested for G6PD deficiency.
Tafenoquine (Arakoda) is started 3 days before travel, taken weekly during travel, and must be continued for 1 week after travel. It is, therefore, good for short trips and last-minute travel. Tafenoquine is effective against Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum, two types of the malaria parasite, so it is preferred for travel to areas where these variants are prevalent. However, tafenoquine cannot be used by children, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, or individuals with psychotic disorders.
Over-the-Counter Medications for Malaria High Fever
Medications used to protect against malaria require a prescription from a licensed medical provider in the United States. It is recommended that you speak to a healthcare provider to decide which antimalarial drug will be suitable for you depending on your age, health status, and travel itinerary.
Common Side Effects of Anti-Malaria Medications
Atovaquone and proguanil combination is usually well tolerated with few side effects. When present, side effects may include upset stomach, headaches, mouth ulcers, and skin rash.
Potential side effects of chloroquine include nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach, headache, rash, and itching. This medication can make psoriasis (a skin condition) worse.
Doxycycline can cause stomach upset, heartburn, and thrush as side effects. This medication may not be recommended in women prone to getting vaginal yeast infections. It is also not recommended in individuals who are planning considerable sun exposure because it increases the risk of sun sensitivity and sunburn.
Mefloquine is not recommended in patients with certain psychiatric conditions, seizure disorders, and cardiac conduction problems. Possible side effects of mefloquine include dizziness, insomnia, vivid dreams, headaches, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and hallucinations.
Primaquine can cause side effects such as an upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and heartburn.
Common Questions
How soon do you get sick with malaria after you’re bitten by an infected mosquito?
Most people develop symptoms 10 days to 4 weeks after the infection. Some types of the malaria parasite can remain dormant in the liver for months to years. In such cases, when the parasite comes out of hibernation, it can cause delayed malaria high fever sickness.
I am traveling outside the United States. How do I know if I need to take drugs to prevent malaria?
The CDC has a list of countries where malaria transmission is prevalent and where antimalarial drugs are recommended. Your healthcare provider will help you decide on the best antimalarial drug for you based on your age, health history, allergies, pregnancy status, and other factors.
Can I get a discount on antimalarial medications with BuzzRx?
Yes, you can get discounts on some medicines—including anti-malaria drugs—as long as you have a signed prescription from your doctor.
References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/malaria/symptoms-causes/syc-20351184
https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/faqs.html
Common Malaria High Fever Health Medications
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