Malaria Treatment & Antimalarial Drugs Pharmacology Chart and MCQ for GPAT, NEETPG, Pharmacy and Nursing exams
Malaria Treatment & Pharmacology Chart
| Drug | Class | Mechanism of Action | Indications | Administration | Common Side Effects | Contraindications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artemether/Lumefantrine | Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) | Artemether: Rapid parasite clearance; Lumefantrine: Prolongs action of artemether | First-line for uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria | Oral | Headache, nausea, dizziness, QT prolongation | Not for severe malaria; caution in patients with cardiac issues |
| Artesunate | Artemisinin derivative | Rapid parasite clearance; inhibits parasite development | Severe malaria; preferred over quinine | IV/IM | Fever, rash, hemolysis | Hypersensitivity to artemisinins |
| Quinine | Quinoline derivative | Interferes with parasite digestion of hemoglobin | Severe malaria; alternative to artesunate in some regions | IV/Oral | Cinchonism (tinnitus, headache), hypoglycemia | Cardiac arrhythmias, G6PD deficiency |
| Mefloquine | 4-aminoquinoline | Inhibits parasite growth by interfering with heme detoxification | Uncomplicated P. falciparum and P. vivax malaria | Oral | Neuropsychiatric effects, dizziness, nausea | History of seizures, psychiatric disorders |
| Primaquine | 8-aminoquinoline | Targets liver stages (hypnozoites) of P. vivax and P. ovale | Radical cure of P. vivax and P. ovale malaria | Oral | Hemolytic anemia in G6PD deficiency, nausea | G6PD deficiency, pregnancy |
| Atovaquone/Proguanil | Combination therapy | Atovaquone: Inhibits mitochondrial electron transport; Proguanil: Inhibits folate synthesis | Malaria prevention and treatment; not for severe cases | Oral | Abdominal pain, nausea, headache | Severe renal impairment |
| Sulfadoxine/Pyrimethamine | Antifolate combination | Inhibits folate synthesis in parasites | Intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy; not for severe malaria | Oral | Rash, fever, gastrointestinal disturbances | Sulfonamide allergy, liver/kidney disease |
| Artesunate/Pyronaridine | Combination therapy | Artesunate: Rapid parasite clearance; Pyronaridine: Inhibits parasite growth | Treatment of both P. falciparum and P. vivax malaria | Oral | Headache, nausea, cough | Severe liver or kidney disease, early pregnancy |
Key Notes:
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Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) are the cornerstone for treating uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria due to their rapid action and efficacy.
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Severe malaria requires intravenous treatment, with artesunate being preferred over quinine due to better outcomes.
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Primaquine is essential for eradicating liver stages of P. vivax and P. ovale to prevent relapses; however, it is contraindicated in individuals with G6PD deficiency due to the risk of hemolytic anemia
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Atovaquone/Proguanil is effective for both prevention and treatment but is not suitable for severe malaria cases.
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Sulfadoxine/Pyrimethamine is used primarily for intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy and is not recommended for severe malaria
Multiple Choice Questions on Malaria Treatment & Pharmacology
1. Which antimalarial drug is contraindicated in individuals with G6PD deficiency due to the risk of hemolytic anemia?
A. Chloroquine
B. Quinine
C. Artemisinin
D. Primaquine
Answer: D. Primaquine
2. What is the primary mechanism of action of artemisinin derivatives?
A. Inhibition of folate synthesis
B. Interference with heme detoxification
C. Generation of reactive oxygen species causing parasite damage
D. Blocking mitochondrial electron transport
Answer: C. Generation of reactive oxygen species causing parasite damage
3. Which combination therapy is recommended by the WHO as first-line treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria?
A. Chloroquine and Primaquine
B. Artemether and Lumefantrine
C. Quinine and Doxycycline
D. Atovaquone and Proguanil
Answer: B. Artemether and Lumefantrine
4. Which antimalarial drug is safe for use during pregnancy?
A. Primaquine
B. Artemisinin
C. Chloroquine
D. Mefloquine
Answer: C. Chloroquine
5. Which drug is used for the radical cure of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale infections by targeting liver hypnozoites?
A. Chloroquine
B. Quinine
C. Primaquine
D. Mefloquine
Answer: C. Primaquine
6. What is the mechanism of action of Atovaquone in antimalarial therapy?
A. Inhibits dihydrofolate reductase
B. Blocks mitochondrial electron transport
C. Interferes with heme polymerase
D. Inhibits protein synthesis
Answer: B. Blocks mitochondrial electron transport
7. Which antimalarial drug is associated with neuropsychiatric side effects and is contraindicated in individuals with a history of psychiatric disorders?
A. Mefloquine
B. Chloroquine
C. Artemether
D. Atovaquone
Answer: A. Mefloquine
8. Which combination therapy includes a drug that inhibits folate synthesis and is used for malaria prophylaxis?
A. Artemether and Lumefantrine
B. Atovaquone and Proguanil
C. Quinine and Doxycycline
D. Chloroquine and Primaquine
Answer: B. Atovaquone and Proguanil
9. Which antimalarial drug is known to cause cinchonism, characterized by symptoms like tinnitus and headache?
A. Quinine
B. Mefloquine
C. Chloroquine
D. Artemisinin
Answer: A. Quinine
10. Which antimalarial drug combination is not recommended for use in severe malaria cases?
A. Artesunate and Mefloquine
B. Quinine and Doxycycline
C. Atovaquone and Proguanil
D. Artemether and Lumefantrine
Answer: C. Atovaquone and Proguanil