Prophylactic use of antimalarials during pregnancy

Article Figures & Data

Table 1

Summary of Motherisk recommendations for malaria chemoprophylaxis during pregnancy

ANTIMALARIAL DRUG	EVIDENCE OF TERATOGENICITY	TIMING OF EXPOSURE	LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE	RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE DURING PREGNANCY
Chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine	No	All trimesters	Substantial data available	Drug of choice in chloroquine-sensitive areas³
Doxycycline	No	First 4 mo of pregnancy	Limited data available	Not recommended owing to adverse effects on the fetus with the use of tetracyclines when used after the fourth month of pregnancy, including discoloration and dysplasia of the teeth, and inhibition of bone growth^3,4
Atovaquone-proguanil combination	No	All trimesters	Limited data available	Might be considered after careful discussion of the benefits and risks in women who cannot avoid travel to mefloquine-resistant areas
Mefloquine	No	All trimesters	Substantial data available	Recommended for use anytime during pregnancy in chloroquine-resistant areas
Primaquine	No data available	No data available	No data available	Not recommended, as the G6PD status of the fetus cannot be established and the drug can be passed transplacentally²