A report on Malaria and Antimalarial medication

This parasite is the most frequent and widely distributed cause of recurring malaria.

Where an artemisinin-based combination therapy has been adopted as the first-line treatment for P. falciparum malaria, it may also be used for P. vivax malaria in combination with primaquine for radical cure.

Plasmodium falciparum is a unicellular protozoan parasite of humans, and the deadliest species of Plasmodium that causes malaria in humans.

According to WHO guidelines 2010, artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are the recommended first-line antimalarial treatments for uncomplicated malaria caused by P. falciparum.

Chloroquine is a medication primarily used to prevent and treat malaria in areas where malaria remains sensitive to its effects.

In areas where resistance is present, other antimalarials, such as mefloquine or atovaquone, may be used instead.

The ensuing destruction of host red blood cells can result in malaria.

A number of drugs have been developed to treat Plasmodium infection; however, the parasites have evolved resistance to each drug developed.

Artemisinin and its semisynthetic derivatives are a group of drugs used in the treatment of malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum.

Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are now standard treatment worldwide for P. falciparum malaria as well as malaria due to other species of Plasmodium.

Mefloquine, sold under the brand name Lariam among others, is a medication used to prevent or treat malaria.

It is not recommended for severe malaria infections, particularly infections from P. falciparum, which should be treated with intravenous antimalarials.

An extract of A. annua, called artemisinin (or artesunate), is a medication used to treat malaria.

In 1971, scientists demonstrated the plant extracts had antimalarial activity in primate models, and in 1972, the active ingredient, artemisinin (formerly referred to as arteannuin), was isolated and its chemical structure described.

Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine, sold under the brand name Fansidar, is a combination medication used to treat malaria.

For the treatment of malaria it is typically used along with other antimalarial medication such as artesunate.

Its current priorities include communicable diseases, particularly HIV/AIDS, Ebola, COVID-19, malaria and tuberculosis; non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and cancer; healthy diet, nutrition, and food security; occupational health; and substance abuse.

For the time being, insecticide-treated mosquito nets and insecticide sprays are used to prevent the spread of malaria, as are antimalarial drugs – particularly to vulnerable people such as pregnant women and young children.

Malaria prophylaxis is the preventive treatment of malaria.

The development of new antimalarial drugs spurred the World Health Organization in 1955 to attempt a global malaria eradication program.