Malaria is a parasitic disease consisting of four species of the genus Plasmodium: Plasmodium vivax, P. falciparum, P. malariae and P. ovale. Falciparum malaria can cause very severe, life-threatening disease and appropriate, timely treatment is critical. It's recommended that people traveling to malaria endemic areas take the appropriate prophylactic medication. Many areas of the world have strains of malaria that are drug resistant, so discuss your travel destinations with your physician or travel medicine specialist. It's also important to be aware of the potential side effects of antimalarial drugs and who is most at risk.
Severe
Many of the severe side effects are particular to the individual medication; others are seen in more than one drug. Some of the more severe side effects associated with antimalarial medications are psychiatric in nature. For example, the drug mefloquine has been reported to cause nightmares, hallucinations and other confused behavior. Having thoughts of suicide and seizures are other severe side effects, and people with known psychiatric illness and epilepsy should avoid using this medication.
Hemolytic anemia, usually a result of G6PD deficiency, is a serious side effect of several antimalarial drugs, including quinine.
Severe skin rashes and uncontrolled diarrhea and vomiting are serious side effects of the drug malarone. Possible bleeding disorders can also be associated with this medication.
Pregnant women should not be treated with some antimalarials because of potential birth defects.
Malarone is one of many drugs implicated in the severe, life threatening skin disease known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Cardiac issues like heart arrhythmia's, weak pulse and EKG irregularities are severe side effects that can result from the antimalarial medication quinine.
Less Severe
Side effects most commonly encountered with antimalarial medications are generally mild and not life threatening. Almost all antimalarial drugs cause some gastrointestinal (GI) disturbance, which can include nausea, vomiting , diarrhea, loss of appetite and mild weight loss.
Lightheadedness and dizziness are other usually milder side effects from many drugs, including some antimalarials.
General side effects such as headaches, coughs, rashes and general weakness can be a result of any of the antimalarial drugs.
Other Considerations
The antibiotic tetracycline is a treatment choice in conjunction with other drugs for certain types of malaria. This drug can cause permanent yellow to gray staining of bone, including teeth, and should not be given to children under age 8, to pregnant women, or women who are breastfeeding.
Other things to consider are the drug interaction of any malarial medication and other medications you're currently taking. Be sure to inform your physician or travel medicine specialist of medications or other health conditions you may have.
References
- The Medical Letter
- Johns Hopkins ABX Guide for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, John Bartlett, M.D.,2005
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