Paludrine Side Effects

The World Health Organization reports that 3.3 billion people worldwide are at risk for developing malaria. Transmitted primarily through mosquitoes, malaria has the potential to cause brain damage, dangerously high fevers and even death. There are a number of medications available to treat malaria, including proguanil hydrochloride. In the United Kingdom, proguanil hydrochloride is available under the brand name Paludrine. Despite its effectiveness, Paludrine is not for everyone as it presents several risks for side effects and complications in some patients.

Common Side Effects

• The most common side effects of Paludrine occur in at least 5 percent of patients. Common gastrointestinal side effects include abdominal pain, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and oral ulcers. It is also common for you to experience coughing and a general feeling of weakness as well as neurological or psychological side effects while taking Paludrine. These include headache, dizziness, abnormal dreams and insomnia.

Other Side Effects

• Paludrine also has the potential to cause a number of other troublesome or annoying, but not dangerous, side effects. Some patients experience itching, blurred vision or temporary hair loss while taking the drug. Others report irritation of the stomach lining called gastritis or inflammation of the mouth called stomatitis. It is also possible for you to experience indigestion while taking Paludrine.

Drug Interactions

• There are some medications that produce unwanted side effects when used in conjunction with Paludrine. For example, the gastrointestinal drug Metoclopramide and antibiotics like rifamycins and Tetracycline often reduce levels of Paludrine in your body, requiring you to take larger doses. This increases your risk of developing side effects from the drug. When combined with blood thinners like warfarin, Paludrine increases your risk of experiencing uncontrollable bleeding during surgery or following an injury.

Risks

• In addition to minor side effects and the risk of interactions, Paludrine has the potential to cause serious medical complications. Some patients experience seizures or severe hallucinations while taking the drug. Infrequently, use of the drug leads to the development of severe skin conditions, such as life-threatening Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. In rare cases, Paludrine causes hypersensitivity reactions in patients. One possible reaction is anaphylaxis, when your immune system causes the formation of hives, difficulty breathing and even shock. Another reaction is angioedema, where your face and limbs severely swell.

Considerations

• Though Paludrine has the potential to cause low birth weights, its effects are less harmful than those of malaria. Because of this, the drug is often used when a pregnant woman contracts malaria, but expectant mothers are kept under close observation while taking the drug. In addition, Paludrine is not used in children who weigh less than 5kg. If you have a history of kidney disease or dysfunction, your doctor is not likely to prescribe Paludrine as the drug has the potential to cause a recurrence in your condition.