Cerebral malaria is a dangerous form of malaria which affects the brain. Cerebral malaria is caused by plasmodium falciparum, a protozoan parasite. Plasmodium falciparum causes ring-like lesions in the brain leading to changes in mental status and coma. According to Brown.edu, cerebral malaria becomes fatal within 24 to 72 hours and immediate treatment is necessary to prevent death.
Quinine
According to the World Health Organization, the recommended treatment for cerebral malaria is quinine. Quinine is an antimalarial drug that kills Plasmodium falciparum parasites. Common side effects of quinine include nausea, restlessness, confusion, and nervousness. Adverse side effects of quinine include blurred vision, ringing in the ears, hearing loss, irregular heart beat, difficulty breathing and swallowing. Patients should report adverse side effects of quinine to the doctor.
Coartem
The National Institutes of Health states that Coartem is an antimalarial drug that includes a combination of artemether and lumefantrine. Coartem is used to treat cerebral malaria infection and works by interfering with the growth of Plasmodium falciparum parasites in the red blood cells of patients. Coartem is derived from Chinese traditional medicine. Common side effects of Coartem include headache, dizziness, weakness, muscle, joint pain, insomnia, loss of appetite and vomiting. Adverse side effects include irregular heart beat, fainting, difficulty breathing and swallowing. Patients should report adverse side effects of Coartem to the doctor.
Chloroquine
According to the National Institutes of Health, cerebral malaria may also be treated with high doses of chloroquine. Chloroquine is not a first line treatment of cerebral malaria due to the high resistance of Plasmodium falciparum parasites to the drug. Common side effects of chloroquine include headache, loss of appetite, upset stomach, diarrhea, itching and mood changes. Adverse side effects include ringing in the ears, irregular heart beat, blurred vision and difficulty hearing. Patients should report adverse side effects to the doctor.
