Informational only — Not medical advice. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider.

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Community data Updated 23 hours ago

Sulphadoxine + Pyrimethamine

Anti-malarial drugs Prescription
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Indications

Malaria

Sulphadoxine + Pyrimethamine tablet is used to treat all forms of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium malariae. Doctors also use it for suppressive or prophylactic management, particularly in areas where resistance to chloroquine is known to exist.

⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.

Pharmacology

Sulphadoxine + Pyrimethamine is an antimalarial that works through synergism. Each component given alone gives a weaker result, even at higher doses, than the two do together.

The combination is also effective against strains that are resistant to other antimalarial medicines, and the risk of resistance developing with it is minimal. It is an extremely long acting medicine. It attacks the different development stages of the parasite and reaches an effective concentration with a single dose. That single dose protects for about four weeks. Sulphadoxine + Pyrimethamine can be used together with other antimalarial drugs and with antibiotics, and it does not influence the action of antidiabetic agents.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Sulphadoxine & Pyrimethamine must not be used during pregnancy. It is also contraindicated in premature and newborn infants during the first weeks of life, and in anyone who cannot tolerate sulfonamides. If pregnancy can't be excluded, the possible risks should be weighed against the benefit of the treatment. Both Pyrimethamine and Sulphadoxine pass into the mother's breast milk, so a nursing mother should not take this preparation.

⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Dosage Reference

⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.

Adults: Sulphadoxine + Pyrimethamine is given as a single dose for curative treatment of malaria. Adults take 2 to 3 tablets. For children under 4 years the dose is ½ tablets, for 4 to 8 years it is 1 tablet, and for 9 to 14 years it is 2 tablets. In severe cases, Sulphadoxine & Pyrimethamine can be combined with quinine to good effect. For suppressive or prophylactic use, the dose below should be taken all at one time. For semi-immune subjects, the dose is taken once every four weeks. Adults take 2 to 3 tablets, children under 4 years take ½ tablets, children aged 4 to 8 years take 1 tablet, and children aged 9 to 14 years take 2 tablets. For non-immune subjects, the dose is taken once every two weeks. Adults take 2 tablets, children under 4 years take 1½ tablets, children aged 4 to 8 years take 1 tablet, and children aged 9 to 14 years take 1½ tablets. For malaria prophylaxis, take the first dose of Sulphadoxine & Pyrimethamine one or two days before leaving for an endemic area, so that tolerance is protected. Keep taking it at the same dosage during the stay and for four weeks after returning, or as the physician prescribes.

Side Effects & Interactions

Side Effects

No side-effect data recorded yet.