Antimalarial (antifolate combination)
Last reviewed July 2026
Who is this for?
Sulfadoxine/Pyrimethamine is an antimalarial drug that combines two medicines which work together to kill the malaria parasite in your blood by blocking its ability to grow and multiply.
Inhibits dihydrofolate reductase (pyrimethamine) and dihydropteroate synthase (sulfadoxine) in the plasmodial folate synthesis pathway, preventing formation of dihydrofolate and subsequently tetrahydrofolate cofactors essential for nucleotide synthesis and parasite DNA replication.
Malaria treatment, malaria prevention (especially during pregnancy as IPTp), prevention of malaria in travellers
Prescription Required
You need a doctor's prescription to buy this drug.
Explore this drug
Since this drug is usually taken as a single one-time dose, missing a dose is unlikely. If your doctor prescribed it for prevention during pregnancy (IPTp) and you missed your scheduled dose, take it as soon as you remember and inform your doctor or midwife at your next antenatal visit.
Buy only from licensed pharmacies, avoiding roadside sellers or market stalls, as fake antimalarials are common in Nigeria. Do not use this drug alone for severe malaria; if you or your child have high fever, confusion, or are vomiting everything, go to the hospital immediately. Do not take this drug repeatedly for self-treatment without a proper malaria test (RDT or microscopy), as overuse can lead to resistance and side effects.
Avoid taking with other folate-blocking drugs like methotrexate or cotrimoxazole (Septrin) as this increases the risk of serious blood problems. If you are taking blood-thinning medicines like warfarin, this drug may increase their effect and cause bleeding. Taking folic acid (the type in high-dose supplements, not the low-dose in routine pregnancy vitamins) around the same time may reduce the drug's effectiveness, so discuss timing with your pharmacist.
Check your specific combination
Is it safe to take Sulfadoxine; with your other drugs?
This drug is used during pregnancy specifically for malaria prevention (IPTp) under a doctor's supervision during antenatal care, but it should not be taken in the first trimester or close to delivery. Always follow your doctor or midwife's instructions.
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Nigerian weather can be very hot, so avoid leaving it in cars or near windows. Keep it in its original pack and away from moisture. Always keep out of reach of children.
For information only: not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before changing your medication.
Names this drug is sold under, especially in Nigerian and West African pharmacies
Tap a brand for packaging, NAFDAC details and authenticity check
Counterfeit Drug Warning
Fake drugs are a serious problem in Nigeria. Always buy from a registered pharmacy. If the packaging looks different from what is described above, do not use it.