Proguanil

Proguanil

Proguanil is one of the more effective drugs used to provide protection against Malaria when travelling into Malaria prone regions. The medicine prevents the growth of the malarial parasite in the human bloodstream. When the tablet is taken as prescribed, along with following the general protection measures like sleeping in screened beds or rooms, maintaining hygiene, using insect repellants and the likes, the risks of acquiring the infection is greatly reduced.

Alternate Names

This anti-malarial tablet is also known as Proguanil hydrochloride and Paludrine.

Proguanil Dosage

Doctors generally prescribe the medicine at least a couple of days before travelling to an area which has risks of malaria. Then of course, the medicine needs to be taken continuously while you are staying in that region. But the medication is complete only when you still continue the Proguanil dosage for 4 more weeks after your return. This is to ensure that you remain completely protected from this infectious disease.

Some doctors also prescribe the tablet to be taken seven days before moving into any malaria prone zone. This ensures that the body has built enough immunity by that time to give you the much needed protection from the parasitical disease. The shortest length of dosage time acceptable before entering a malarial zone is 2 days when you can still have the medicine so that it can build immunity in your body.

Generally, this tablet is prescribed to be taken in combination with other anti- malarial medicines such as Chloroquine or Atovaquone. The combined effect of the tablets increases the immunity of the individual and keeps him protected against malarial attack. Usually, for every 2 tablets of chloroquine 14 proguanil tablets are provided. That means for every 2 tablets of Proguanil daily, the chloroquine needs to be taken only twice a week. Another drug, Malarone, is a combination of Proguanil and Atovaquone is considered very effective nowadays. If Malarone is recommended, the drug needs to be taken with a milky drink or food to facilitate easy and quick absorption of the chemicals in the body.

For adults: You should take two Proguanil tablets every day. Ideally, it is consumed with water, post meal and preferably at the same time every day.

For children: Children under 1 year of age should be administered no more than a quarter of Paludrine while those within 1 to 4 years can be given a half of the tablet. Those within 5 to 8 years can take one tablet daily and children aged between 9 to 14 years take one and half tablets. They can be administered the crushed form of the medicine. Proguanil can be mixed with jam, honey or milk if the child likes to have it that way.

Missing a dose It is important to take the medicine every day without fail, but under some unavoidable circumstances if you are not able to take the medicine or you forget to take the tablet, in such as a case, it is recommended that you take it as soon as you can, unless it’s almost time for the next dose. If the latter happens, it is advisable to skip the missed tablet altogether. Remember never to take two doses together to make up for the missed dose.

Precautions before Taking Proguanil

Before you administer Proguanil to yourself, it is important that you consult a doctor and let him know beforehand, if you have one or more of the following –

  • You are pregnant and/or a nursing mother You suffer from kidney problems
  • You are in other medication, including over the counter medicines, herbal drugs or complementary medicines. Warfarins and antacids are often known to interfere with Paludrine.
  • If you have had allergic reactions to any of the medicines you have taken before.

Side Effects of Proguanil

Some of the side effects which have be observed amongst the users of this medicine in rare cases –

  • Loss of appetite
  • Feeling sick
  • Diaorrhea
  • Constipation
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Abdominal pain
  • Headache
  • Anorexia
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Coughing

Storing Proguanil

  • The tablets should be kept out of reach of children.
  • The medicine is best stored in a cool, dark and a dry place within 30c and away from direct light and heat.
  • Expired tablets should be discarded.