When it comes to malaria treatment, the medical approach to curing infection caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted by mosquitoes. Also known as antimalarial therapy, it’s not one-size-fits-all — what works in Southeast Asia might fail in Africa due to drug resistance. Malaria isn’t just a tropical disease anymore; travelers, military personnel, and expats still get infected every year. And if you’re reading this, you probably want to know what actually works — not what’s on a brochure.
The backbone of modern malaria treatment, the medical approach to curing infection caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted by mosquitoes. Also known as antimalarial therapy, it’s not one-size-fits-all — what works in Southeast Asia might fail in Africa due to drug resistance. The backbone of modern antimalarial drugs, medications designed to kill or inhibit the growth of malaria-causing parasites in the human body. Also known as antiparasitic agents, these include artemisinin-based combinations, chloroquine, and atovaquone-proguanil. Artemisinin-based combination therapies, or ACTs, are the gold standard now. They combine fast-acting artemisinin derivatives with longer-lasting partners like lumefantrine or mefloquine. This combo kills parasites quickly and reduces the chance of resistance. Chloroquine used to be the go-to, but now it’s useless in most places because the parasites evolved around it. That’s why you can’t just grab an old prescription and expect it to work.
What about malaria prevention, strategies to avoid infection before exposure, including medication, insect repellent, and bed nets. Also known as chemoprophylaxis, it’s just as important as treatment. If you’re heading to a high-risk area, taking the right preventive pills matters. Doxycycline, atovaquone-proguanil, and mefloquine are common options — each with different side effects and dosing schedules. No pill is perfect. Some cause stomach upset. Others can mess with your sleep or mood. And none work if you don’t take them exactly as directed. Combine pills with mosquito nets, DEET, and wearing long sleeves after sunset. That’s the real shield.
You’ll find posts here that break down specific drugs — what they do, who they’re for, and what to watch out for. Some compare older meds like chloroquine with newer ones. Others explain why resistance happens and how doctors choose the right treatment based on where you got infected. There’s no magic bullet, but there are proven paths. This collection gives you the facts you need to understand your options — whether you’re a traveler, a caregiver, or just trying to make sense of what you read online.
Primaquine is the only drug that prevents malaria relapses from liver parasites, but it requires G6PD testing. Learn how it compares to tafenoquine, chloroquine, and ACTs - and what to do if you can't take it.
