Sulfadoxine/Pyrimethamine = SP oral

Therapeutic action

Antimalarial.

Indications

Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy, as of the second trimester, in areas with moderate to high malaria transmission in Africa.

Forms and strengths

• Sulfadoxine 500 mg/pyrimethamine 25 mg tablet.
• Sulfadoxine 500 mg/pyrimethamine 25 mg dispersible tablet.

Dose and duration

• 3 tablets as a single dose for each treatment, starting as early as possible in the second trimester.
• Each treatment should be given at least one month apart and at least 3 doses should be given during pregnancy.

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

• Do not administer to patients with allergy to sulfonamides.
• Do not administer to HIV-infected women taking co-trimoxazole prophylaxis.
• May cause gastrointestinal disturbances, skin reactions sometimes severe, anaemia, leukopenia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, and haemolytic anaemia in patients with G6PD deficiency.
• Do not use in combination with co-trimoxazole.
• Do not give folic acid on the same day SP is administered, or within 2 weeks thereafter.
• Pregnancy: contraindicated during the first trimester.