Adverse Reactions and Contraindications of Antimalarial Drugs

Headache, anorexia, dizziness, asthenia (usually mild)

With lumefantrine, prolonged QT interval

During pregnancy, used if potential benefit justifies potential risk to fetus, which is usually the case in the 2nd and 3rd trimester and probably the first

As with artemether

Delayed hemolysis; hemoglobin levels should be monitored for 4 weeks after therapy

During pregnancy, used if the potential benefit justifies potential risk, which is the case in most patients with severe malaria requiring parenteral therapy

Gastrointestinal disturbances, headache, dizziness, rash, pruritus

During pregnancy, used only if there are no alternatives and potential benefit justifies potential risk to fetus

Hypersensitivity, breastfeeding*, severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min)

Gastrointestinal disturbances, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, rashes or pruritus, exacerbation of psoriasis, blood dyscrasias, alopecia, ECG changes including prolonged QTc interval, retinopathy, psychosis (rare)

Hypersensitivity, retinal or visual field changes, or potential drug interactions, resulting in prolonged QTc interval and arrhythmia

Hypotension, bone marrow toxicity, renal dysfunction, rashes, jaundice, tinnitus, Clostridium difficile infection (pseudomembranous colitis)

Hypersensitivity

Gastrointestinal upset, photosensitivity, vaginal candidiasis, C. difficile infection (pseudomembranous colitis), erosive esophagitis

Pregnancy, children < 8 years

Halofantrine

Prolongation of PR and QT intervals, cardiac arrhythmia, hypotension, gastrointestinal disturbances, dizziness, mental changes, seizures, sudden death

During pregnancy, used only if potential benefit justifies potential risk to fetus

Cardiac conduction defects, familial QT prolongation, use of drugs that affect QT interval, hypersensitivity

Bad dreams, neuropsychiatric symptoms, dizziness, vertigo, confusion, psychosis, seizures, sinus bradycardia, gastrointestinal disturbances

Gastrointestinal disturbances, tinnitus, visual disturbances, allergic reactions, mental changes, arrhythmias, cardiotoxicity

Arrhythmias, widened QRS complex, prolonged QTc interval, hypotension, hypoglycemia

Hypersensitivity, thrombocytopenia (continuous ECG, blood pressure, and glucose monitoring recommended)

Severe intravascular hemolysis in people with G6PD deficiency, gastrointestinal disturbances, leukopenia, methemoglobinuria

Concomitant use of quinacrine or potentially hemolytic or bone marrow suppressing agents, G6PD deficiency, pregnancy (because G6PD status of the fetus is unknown)

Pyrimethamine/sulfadoxine

Erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal neurolysis, urticaria, exfoliative dermatitis, serum sickness, hepatitis, seizures, mental changes, gastrointestinal disturbances, stomatitis, pancreatitis, bone marrow toxicity, hemolysis, fever, nephrosis

Hypersensitivity, folate deficiency anemia, infants ≤ 2 months, pregnancy, breastfeeding

Severe intravascular hemolysis in patients with G6PD deficiency, psychiatric reactions, methemoglobinemia, gastrointestinal disturbances, hypersensitivity reactions

G6PD deficiency, pregnancy (because G6PD status of the fetus is unknown), breast feeding (unless child is known to have normal G6PD), psychotic disorder, known hypersensitivity

For patients ≥ 16 years