People contract malaria when a mosquito that carries the microscopic malaria parasite bites them. Although malaria rarely affects people in the northern hemisphere north of the tropics, it is common in many nations in or near the tropics. The potentially fatal disease is characterized by fevers and chills that occur, retreat and return, the Mayo Clinic reports. There are many medications available to treat malaria; many come with side effects.
Stomach and Bowel Side Effects
The main drugs used in the treatment of malaria include Malarone (generic: proguanil and atovaquone combination), Lariam (generic: mefloquine), Fansidar (generic: pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine combination), Plaquenil (generic: hydroxychloroquine), Qualaquin (generic: quinine sulfate) and Aralen (generic: chloroquine). All of them may produce common side effects in your stomach and bowels. The most common side effect is diarrhea. Nausea and its result, vomiting, also are common side effects of anti-malaria drugs that can be serious or not depending upon the severity. Other common side effects are pain and cramps in the stomach and loss of appetite.
Visual and Hearing Side Effects
Anti-malaria medications also can affect your vision. The most common such side effect is blurry vision, particularly when focusing on the written word on a page or the computer screen. This side effects is usually temporary. Lariam also has the potential to cause a temporary loss of hearing and a continual ringing or buzzing in the ears.
Skin Side Effects
Anti-malaria drugs can also affect the skin. If you are African American, you have a greater potential to experience itching on your skin, the Mayo Clinic reports. Fansidar also has the potential of causing sunlight sensitivity and a rash. These are categorized as serious common side effects, so report them to your doctor immediately.
Fever and Psychological Side Effects
Fansidar may cause the serious common side effect of a fever. Because this also is a symptom of malaria, it may be hard to tell whether the fever is a result of the malaria or the medication. However, if you get a fever after taking the medicine, tell your physician immediately. Fansidar and Lariam both have the potential of causing psychological problems, such as anxiety and abnormal dreams.
