Antimalarial drugs are preparations that can be used prophylactically while traveling. Are drugs for malaria effective? What are the unpleasant side effects associated with their use? Is it worth using antimalarial drugs?

Antimalarial drugscause serious concern among travelers. It is often heard that their use can spoil the holiday and it is better to give it up. However, it should be remembered that malaria is an extremely dangerous disease.

Malaria is a disease that occurs in subtropical and tropical Asia and Africa. It is also found in South America, Central America and the Pacific Islands. When traveling to these regions, we should rethink the prophylactic use of antimalarial drugs.

Malaria is a disease caused by protozoa belonging to the genusplasmodium . Mosquitoes are primarily responsible for the transmission of this disease to humans. An important element of prevention is the use of insect repellants. Another method is the use of anti-malarial drugs, which prevent malaria germs from developing in our body.

Anti-malaria drugs are sometimes colloquially called vaccines. This is not true. Humanity has not yet developed a vaccination for this disease. There are only prophylactic chemotherapeutic drugs for malaria.

Why use anti-malarial drugs?

Malaria is a disease that causes 1-3 million deaths every year. This is the most common parasitic infection of all. Pregnant women and young children in risky countries are particularly exposed to its danger.

Travelers to tropical countries are also highly sensitive to malaria. This is due to the lack of natural immunity to this parasite. In Poland, several dozen people who have returned from risk areas are diagnosed with this disease every year. Due to the lack of appropriate prophylaxis, these diseases are more often fatal than in other European countries.

Importance of prevention and early diagnosis of malaria

Antimalarial drugs that are used prophylactically also have the ability to inhibit the disease. In the treatment of malaria, the same substances are used as preventive measures, only in higher doses.

Characteristic early symptoms for this disease are:

  • headaches
  • muscle aches
  • weariness
  • sleepiness
  • general malaise

If we visited a tropical country before the onset of symptoms, we are at risk. It is advisable to visit a doctor and perform appropriate laboratory tests. Early detection means a better chance for a milder course of the disease and a cure.

How do I use anti-malarial drugs prophylactically?

When planning a trip to tropical countries, you should see a doctor well in advance. A specialist in marine and tropical medicine will be the best choice. There are also certified travel medicine centers in our country.

The visiting specialist doctor, based on the knowledge of the region to which we fly, will help us choose the right drugs. Malaria has different treatment resistance in different countries.

When using anti-malarial preparations, it is important to start taking them a certain time before the trip. Also, do not put them down immediately after returning. This period depends on the type of preparation and may last from 1 to 4 weeks.

Antimalarial drugs are taken regularly. Daily or at weekly intervals. It is recommended to follow the doctor's instructions regarding the use of the preparations. This reduces the risk of side effects and increases the effectiveness of prevention.

The most commonly prescribed prescription drugs are:

  • chlorokine
  • meflokina
  • proguanil
  • doxycycline
  • preparation consisting of atovaquone and proguanil

Side effects of antimalarial drugs

There are unpleasant side effects associated with antimalarial medications. However, they do not occur in all people who take them. It should also be noted that the inconveniences associated with contracting malaria are incomparably more severe.

The most common symptoms occurring in over 10% of patients are:

  • nausea and vomiting
  • headache
  • diarrhea
  • stomach ache

Studies show that the drugs best tolerated by patients are a combined preparation containing atovaquone with proguanil and doxycycline.

What is the effectiveness of antimalarial drugs?

Properly used antimalarial drugs show high effectiveness in prophylaxis. It is estimated that their ability to protect against disease is 90-95%. In cases of disease, these preparations, administered in an appropriate dose, protect against the development of the disease and related organ damage.

About the authorSara Janowska, MA in pharmacyPhD student of interdisciplinary doctoral studies in the field of pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences at the Medical University of Lublin and the Institute of Biotechnology in Białystok. A graduate of pharmaceutical studies at the Medical University of Lublin with a specialization in Plant Medicine. She obtained a master's degree defending a thesis in the field of pharmaceutical botany on the antioxidant properties of extracts obtained from twenty species of mosses. Currently, in his research work, he deals with the synthesis of new anti-cancer substances and the study of their properties on cancer cell lines. For two years she worked as a master of pharmacy in an open pharmacy.

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