Infectious Disease

Malaria

Drugs used to treat and prevent malaria in Nigeria

Caused by Plasmodium parasites spread by mosquito bites — seek treatment within 24 hours of symptoms

Artemether-Lumefantrine (Coartem) is Nigeria's first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria

23 drugs
2 OTC
21 Prescription

Antimalarial

combination therapy

3

Amodiaquine; Sulfadoxine; Pyrimethamine

Prescription

Malaria treatment, prevention of malaria in children (seasonal malaria chemoprevention)

Laridox-AQ DTLaridox-AQ DT ForteSPAQ-Co Dispersible Tablets 250mg/12.5mg/76.5mgSPAQ-Co Dispersible Tablets 500mg/25mg/153mg

Artemether; Lumefantrine

Prescription

Malaria (especially the type caused by mosquito bites common in Nigeria), uncomplicated malaria with symptoms like fever, chills, body pain, and headache

Afemart Artemether & Lumefantrine 80/480mg TabletsAgwoiba 20/120 TabletAgwoiba 80/480 TabletsAksoal 20/120 TabletsAlefer QS TabletsAlphacombo 20/120 TabletsAlphacombo 80/480 TabletsAluktem DS

Artesunate; Mefloquine

Prescription

Malaria, especially stubborn malaria that doesn't respond easily to other treatments

Ocuquin 300/375 TabletsOcuquin 600/750 Tablets

Antimalarial

Kills parasites that cause malaria

11

Artemether

Prescription

Malaria, especially severe or complicated malaria that cannot be treated with tablets

Amakin Artemether InjectionAnferro Artemether Injection 80mgArteject InjectionArtemether 80mg InjectionArtemether InjectionArtemether Injection 80mg/mLArtemetin-Beta InjectionArteniter 80 Injection

Artemisinin; Piperaquine

Prescription

Malaria, including uncomplicated malaria caused by the most common type of malaria parasite in Nigeria

Ibakwik Softgel

Arterolane; Piperaquine

Prescription

Malaria (especially the type caused by the most common malaria parasite in Nigeria)

Synriam Tablets

Artesunate

Prescription

Severe malaria, uncomplicated malaria (usually combined with another antimalarial drug)

Akason Artesunate Injection 120mgAkenart 120mg InjectionAkenart Injection 60mgAlciart InjectionArgesun Injections 120mgArgesun Injections 180mgArgesun Injections 30mgArgesun Injections 60mg

Artesunate; Pyronaridine Tetraphosphate

Prescription

Malaria (including stubborn malaria that doesn't respond easily to other drugs)

Pyramax Granules

Atovaquone; Proguanil hydrochloride

Prescription

Malaria treatment, malaria prevention (for travellers or people in high-risk areas)

Lemal TabletsMalanil Tablet

Chloroquine

Prescription

Malaria treatment, malaria prevention (for travellers or people in malaria-prone areas), certain joint conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus

Afrab Chloroquine TabletsAlbequine TabletBioraquine SyrupBonaquine TabletsChloroquine Phosphate 40mg InjectionDr. Meyer’s Maxiquine SyrupDr. Meyer’s Maxiquine TabletFest Chloroquine 40mg Injection

Proguanil

OTC

Prevention of malaria (especially for travelers or people living in malaria-prone areas)

FestdrineKoyodrine 100mg TabletLifedrineMayanil 100mg TabletProgjek TabletsProguanil 100 TabletsPronil TabletReludrine Tablets

Quinine Dihydrochloride

Prescription

Severe malaria, complicated malaria (when the person is vomiting, unconscious, or very weak and cannot swallow tablets)

Pecgina InjectionPenine InjectionQuindec Injection

Quinine Sulfate

Prescription

Malaria (especially severe or stubborn malaria that has not responded to other antimalarials), muscle cramps (leg cramps at night)

Alpaquine TabletsMalacide TabletsOsyquine-300 Tablets

α-β Arteether

Prescription

Severe malaria, complicated malaria (when the person is too sick to swallow tablets or is vomiting), acute malaria attacks

A-B Arteether Injectiona-ß Arteether Injection 150mg/2mLAbeemal InjectionAbther 150 InjectionAbther 225 InjectionAdmal Injection 150mg/2mLAfabeta Injection 150mgAfabeta Injection 75mg

Antimalarial + Pain reliever

Analgesic/Antipyretic

1

Artemether; Lumefantrine; Paracetamol

Prescription

Malaria with fever, malaria with body pain and headache

Co-Arthemed TabletsLokmal QS Combi

Antimalarial

Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy - ACT

2

Artesunate; Amodiaquine

Prescription

Malaria (uncomplicated malaria caused by mosquito bites)

Anate PowderApmod 100/270 TabletsApmod 25/67.5 TabletsApmod 50/135 TabletsArtesunate - Amodiaquine Winthrop Toddler TabletsArtesunate 100mg + Amodiaquine 270mg TabletsArtesunate 25mg + Amodiaquine 67.5mg TabletsArtesunate 50mg + Amodiaquine 135mg Tablets

Dihydroartemisinin; Piperaquine Phosphate

Prescription

Malaria (including uncomplicated malaria caused by the most common and dangerous type of malaria parasite found in Nigeria)

Artexaten 40mg/320mg TabletCoaxin TabletsCodisin Plus TabletD-Artepp 80mg/640mg TabletsD-Artepp Dispersible TabletsD-Artepp Dispersible Tablets 20mg/160mgD-Artepp Dispersible Tablets 40mg/320mgD-Artepp Tablets 40mg/320mg

Corticosteroid

steroid anti-inflammatory

1

Dexamethasone

Prescription

Severe allergic reactions, asthma attacks, swelling and inflammation, arthritis, skin conditions like eczema, eye inflammation, some types of cancer treatment support, cerebral malaria (brain swelling from malaria), croup in children, severe body swelling

Anisun Dexamethasone Tablets 0.5mgArcadia Tablet 1mgArcadia Tablets 0.5mgArtemis Dexamethasone 0.5mg TabletArtemis Dexamethasone 1mg TabletBanakeme Tablets 0.5mgBedixa 0.5mg TabletsBleor Dexamethasone Tablets 0.5mg

Corticosteroid

anti-inflammatory steroid

1

Dexamethasone phosphate

Prescription

Severe allergic reactions, asthma attacks, serious skin rashes, eye inflammation, joint pain and swelling (arthritis), severe body swelling, croup in children, cerebral malaria complications, meningitis support treatment, and other conditions where strong anti-inflammatory action is needed

Cika Dexamethasone TabletsDelisa Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate InjectionDexamethasone Injection 4mg/mLDexamethasone Sodium Phosphate 4mg/mL InjectionDexamethasone Sodium Phosphate Ophthalmic Solution USPIvydexoneKristen TabletOcudex Eye Drops

Antibiotic

Tetracycline

1

Doxycycline

Prescription

Chest infections, typhoid, urinary tract infections (UTI), sexually transmitted infections (gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis), malaria prevention, severe acne (pimples), eye infections, wound infections, pelvic inflammatory disease

Aldox 100mg CapsuleCika Doxycycline CapsuleDoxinDoxy 200 TabletsDoxycap CapsulesDoxycycline 100mgDoxycycline 100mg capsulesDoxycycline Capsules

Intravenous fluid and electrolyte replenisher

Replenishes fluids and electrolytes in the body

1

Glucose; Sodium Chloride

Prescription

Dehydration, loss of body fluids (from vomiting, diarrhoea, or fever), low blood sugar, providing energy and fluids during hospital admission, replacing salts and water lost during illness like malaria or typhoid

4.3% Dextrose and Saline Infusion4.3% Dextrose Saline5% Dextrose and Normal Saline Infusion5% Dextrose SalineBioflex Dexrose 4.3% in Sodium Chloride 0.18% Inf.Bioflex Dextrose 5% in Sodium Chloride 0.9% InfusionDele Fluids Dextrose 4.3%w/v + 0.18%w/v Sodium ChlorideDele Fluids Dextrose 5%w/v + 0.9%w/v Sodium Chloride

Painkiller and Fever Reducer

Analgesic/Antipyretic

1

Paracetamol

OTC

Fever, headache, body pain, toothache, menstrual pain, joint pain, cold and flu symptoms, pain after surgery, malaria-related fever

AC-Mol DropsACD 500 TabletAcepol SuspensionAlben Paracetamol DropsArenol Paracetamol TabletAvipol InjectionAvro Paracetamol DropsAvro Paracetamol Tablet

Antimalarial

antifolate combination

1

Sulfadoxine; Pyrimethamine

Prescription

Malaria treatment, malaria prevention (especially during pregnancy as IPTp), prevention of malaria in travellers

Alfadox TabletsGomaxine TabletKaosider TabletKrisdoxin TabletsMaldox 525 Dispersible TabletMaldox SuspensionMaldox TabletMaldox Tablets

When to see a doctor

Seek care if you notice any of the following

  • If you have a high fever that lasts for more than 3 days, go to your nearest clinic or hospital.
  • If you experience severe headache, especially if it's accompanied by vomiting or stiff neck, go to your nearest clinic or hospital.
  • If you notice yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice), go to your nearest clinic or hospital.
  • If you have difficulty breathing or feel like you're choking, go to your nearest clinic or hospital immediately.
  • If you experience severe abdominal pain or vomiting blood, go to your nearest clinic or hospital.

For guidance only — always consult a qualified healthcare provider.