About Malarest Tablet 500mg / 25mg
Sulfadoxine and Pyrimethamine combination tablet used for the treatment and prevention of malaria.
Malarest Tablet 500mg / 25mg Uses
- Treats acute uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum
- Used as intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy
- Prescribed for malaria prophylaxis in high risk travelers to endemic areas
- Used alongside artemisinin based drugs in combination malaria therapy
- Helps clear parasitemia in chloroquine resistant malaria cases
Malarest Tablet 500mg / 25mg Benefits
- Single dose regimen improves patient compliance compared to multi day courses
- Effective against chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains
- Long half life provides sustained antimalarial action for days after dosing
- Affordable option widely available across Pakistani pharmacies
- Reduces risk of severe malaria complications when used early in infection
What Experts Say
Sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine act through sequential inhibition of the parasite folate pathway. Sulfadoxine blocks dihydropteroate synthase while pyrimethamine inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, producing a synergistic effect that clears Plasmodium falciparum more effectively than either drug alone.
Dosing is calculated by body weight because both drugs have long elimination half-lives, allowing a single oral dose to sustain therapeutic blood levels for several days. Physicians confirm the diagnosis through microscopy or rapid testing before prescribing, since inappropriate use accelerates resistance.
Pakistan carries a high burden of malaria, and physicians remain alert to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and sulfa drug allergy before prescribing. Monitoring for skin reactions and blood count changes is advised, especially with repeated dosing or antifolate therapy for other conditions.
Drug Class
- Antimalarial
- Antifolate combination
- Sulfonamide
Malarest Tablet 500mg / 25mg Uses in Urdu
- ملیریا کے علاج کے لیے استعمال ہوتی ہے
- حاملہ خواتین میں ملیریا سے بچاؤ کے لیے تجویز کی جاتی ہے
- کلوروکوین مزاحم ملیریا کے علاج میں مؤثر ہے
- ملیریا کے خطرے والے علاقوں کا سفر کرنے والوں کو احتیاطی طور پر دی جاتی ہے
- پلازموڈیم فالسیپیرم انفیکشن کے علاج میں استعمال ہوتی ہے
Malarest Tablet 500mg / 25mg formula
- Sulfadoxine 500mg + Pyrimethamine 25mg
How to use Malarest Tablet 500mg / 25mg?
- Take Malarest Tablet 500mg / 25mg exactly as prescribed by your doctor, usually as a single dose
- Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water
- Take with food to reduce stomach upset
- Dosage is calculated according to your body weight, so do not adjust it yourself
- Complete the full course even if symptoms improve quickly
- Avoid repeating the dose within the same treatment cycle unless your doctor advises it
- Store tablets away from direct sunlight and moisture between doses
Drug Interactions
- Folate Antagonists: Combining with other antifolate drugs such as methotrexate or trimethoprim increases the risk of bone marrow suppression.
- Anticonvulsants: May reduce the effectiveness of phenytoin and other seizure medicines.
- Warfarin: Can increase bleeding risk when taken with blood thinning medicines.
- Chloroquine: Concurrent use may increase the risk of convulsions.
- Oral Contraceptives: May reduce contraceptive effectiveness during treatment.
Risks and warnings
- G6PD Deficiency: Patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency face a higher risk of severe hemolytic anemia with this medicine.
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome: Rare but serious skin reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis have been reported with sulfonamide antimalarials.
- Sulfa Allergy: Avoid this medicine if you have a known allergy to sulfonamide drugs.
- Pregnancy Near Term: This medicine is not recommended in the last weeks of pregnancy due to the risk of neonatal jaundice and kernicterus.
- Blood Disorders: Use with caution in patients with folate deficiency, megaloblastic anemia, or existing blood dyscrasias.
- Liver Impairment: Patients with significant liver disease should be monitored closely, as drug clearance may be reduced.
- Kidney Impairment: Dose adjustment or close monitoring is needed in patients with reduced kidney function.
- Drug Resistance: Repeated or inappropriate use increases the risk of parasite resistance to this combination.
Malarest Tablet 500mg / 25mg Side Effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Skin rash
- Itching
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Insomnia
Storage Conditions
- Store Malarest Tablet 500mg / 25mg at room temperature, below 30°C
- Keep the blister strip in its original outer carton away from direct sunlight
- Store in a dry place away from moisture and humidity
- Keep out of reach of children
