Malaria treatment: what works, what to expect

If you think you have malaria, quick diagnosis and the right medicine matter. Malaria is caused by different Plasmodium parasites and treatment depends on the species, how sick you are, and where you caught it. This page gives clear, practical steps: common drugs, when to get urgent care, and simple prevention tips for travelers.

Common medicines and how they’re used

Most uncomplicated malaria is treated with oral antimalarials. The worldwide standard for Plasmodium falciparum is an artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). ACTs pair a fast-acting artemisinin with a longer partner drug to clear the infection and cut resistance risk.

Other options include chloroquine where the parasite is known to be sensitive (many regions no longer use it because of resistance). For certain cases or species, doctors may use atovaquone‑proguanil, doxycycline (often paired with another drug), or mefloquine. Plasmodium vivax and P. ovale can hide in the liver and cause relapses; to stop that you may need a second drug (primaquine or tafenoquine) after testing for G6PD deficiency, because those drugs can be dangerous if you have that enzyme deficiency.

For severe malaria — signs include confusion, breathing problems, low blood pressure, or very high parasite levels — treatment is intravenous. Intravenous artesunate is now the preferred first-line treatment in many places. Severe cases need hospital care, monitoring, and supportive treatment for complications.

Diagnosis, resistance, and safe choices

Don’t guess. Get a diagnostic test: a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) or blood smear. Tests tell the species and guide the right drug. Resist the urge to self-treat with leftover antibiotics or wrong medicines; that can be harmful and delay proper care.

Resistance shapes treatment choices. Parts of Southeast Asia and some areas in Africa report resistance to certain antimalarials. Clinicians pick medicines based on local resistance patterns and official guidelines, so tell your provider where you were exposed.

Practical tips: if you travel, plan ahead. Visit a travel clinic for destination-specific prophylaxis options — common choices include atovaquone‑proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine depending on your trip, allergies, and health history. Use insect repellent, sleep under treated bed nets, and wear long sleeves at dusk and dawn.

Always finish the prescribed course, even if you feel better. If symptoms return or if you develop fever after travel, see a doctor right away and mention travel history. For any antimalarial plan, follow local health guidelines and ask your clinician about tests like G6PD before starting certain drugs.

Need help deciding what to do next? Tell a clinician where you traveled, when symptoms started, and share any medication allergies — that saves time and helps get the right treatment fast.