| Drug | Class | Adult | Paediatric | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artemether-lumefantrine (ACT)[2] | Artemisinin-based combination therapy | 80/480 mg PO BD × 3 days (with fat-containing food) | Weight-band: 5–14 kg: 1 tab; 15–24 kg: 2 tabs; 25–34 kg: 3 tabs; ≥35 kg: 4 tabs BD × 3 days | First-line uncomplicated P. falciparum; not in first trimester pregnancy |
| Artesunate-pyronaridine (alternative ACT)[2] | Artemisinin-based combination | Weight-based for 3 days | Weight-band tablets | Alternative ACT in areas with reduced lumefantrine efficacy; once-daily dosing improves adherence |
| Chloroquine + primaquine (P. vivax/ovale)[2] | Aminoquinoline antimalarials | Chloroquine 25 mg base/kg over 3 days + primaquine 0.25–0.5 mg/kg/day × 14 days (G6PD-normal); 0.75 mg/kg weekly × 8 weeks (mild G6PD deficiency) | Same per kg | Vivax/ovale radical cure; primaquine eliminates hypnozoites; tafenoquine 300 mg single dose alternative in G6PD-normal adults |
| IV artesunate[2] | Artemisinin (parenteral) | 2.4 mg/kg IV at 0, 12, 24 h then daily; switch to oral ACT once tolerating after at least 24 h IV | <20 kg: 3 mg/kg per dose; ≥20 kg: 2.4 mg/kg per dose | Severe malaria (any species); reduces mortality 35% vs quinine in adults, 22% in children |
| Quinine + clindamycin (first-trimester pregnancy)[2] | Cinchona alkaloid + lincosamide | Quinine 600 mg PO TID × 7 days plus clindamycin 450 mg PO TID × 7 days | — | Pregnancy first trimester with uncomplicated falciparum where ACT contraindicated |
Species-specific treatment of uncomplicated and severe malaria; ACT for falciparum, chloroquine + primaquine for vivax (G6PD-screened).