Sulfadoxine + Pyrimethamine
Also sold as: Fansidar
Prescription neededMalaria medicines
Comes as:Tablet
Usual adult dose
Dose is set by your doctor or health worker. Adults: 3 tablets taken together as a single dose, usually together with artesunate. Not for self-treatment.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- nausea
- stomach upset
- headache
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- severe skin rash with blisters or peeling
- sore throat with fever
- yellow eyes or skin
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Allergy to sulfonamide (sulfa) medicines
- Taking co-trimoxazole
- Severe liver or kidney disease
- Babies under 2 months
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious2 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Co-trimoxazole
Both are sulfa and folate-blocking medicines; together they raise the risk of severe skin and blood reactions.
- Methotrexate
Both block folate; together they can cause serious bone marrow damage.