Antimalarial (combination therapy)
Last reviewed June 2026
Who is this for?
This is a combination antimalarial drug containing three active ingredients — amodiaquine, sulfadoxine, and pyrimethamine — that work together to kill the malaria parasite in your blood by attacking it in different ways, making the treatment more effective.
Inhibits plasmodial DNA synthesis through multiple mechanisms: amodiaquine intercalates into parasite DNA and disrupts hemozoin formation; sulfadoxine inhibits dihydropteroate synthase; and pyrimethamine inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, together blocking the folate synthesis pathway essential for parasite survival and replication.
Prescription Required
You need a doctor's prescription to buy this drug.
Explore this drug
For adults, the treatment is usually taken as a single dose of sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (3 tablets of 500mg/25mg) alongside amodiaquine taken once daily for 3 days. Take with food or after eating to reduce stomach upset. Dissolve the dispersible tablets in a small amount of clean water before swallowing. Always follow the exact dosing your pharmacist or doctor gives you, as the number of tablets depends on the specific brand and strength.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember on the same day. If it is already time for the next day's dose, skip the missed one and continue with the remaining schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the one you missed.
Always complete the full 3-day course even if you start feeling better — stopping early can make malaria come back stronger. Buy only from licensed pharmacies and recognized health programs, not from roadside sellers, to avoid fake drugs. Brands like Laridox-AQ DT and SPAQ-Co are used in government malaria prevention programs — make sure the packaging is intact and not expired before use.
Avoid taking with other antimalarial drugs like chloroquine or mefloquine at the same time unless a doctor instructs you. Do not take with cotrimoxazole (Septrin/Bactrim) as both contain sulfa drugs and the combination can increase the risk of serious side effects. Avoid alcohol while on this medication as it can worsen side effects like nausea and dizziness.
Check your specific combination
Is it safe to take Amodiaquine with your other drugs?
This drug combination is not recommended during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, and should be avoided during breastfeeding — consult your doctor for a safer alternative.
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat — avoid keeping it near windows or in hot cars. Keep the tablets in their original packaging until you are ready to use them. Always store out of reach of children.
For information only — not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before changing your medication.
Names this drug is sold under — especially in Nigerian and West African pharmacies
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Counterfeit Drug Warning
Fake drugs are a serious problem in Nigeria. Always buy from a registered pharmacy. If the packaging looks different from what is described above, do not use it.
Dispensing Amodiaquine; Sulfadoxine; Pyrimethamine?
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