Sulfadoxine and Pyrimethamine (Systemic)

Brand Names : Fansidar

Proper Use of This Medicine

Do not give this medicine to infants younger than 2 months of age unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Also, keep this medicine out of the reach of children . Overdose is especially dangerous in children.

Sulfa-containing medicines are best taken with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Several additional glasses of water should be taken every day , unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Drinking extra water will help to prevent some unwanted effects (e.g., kidney stones) of this medicine. If this medicine upsets your stomach or causes vomiting, it may be taken with meals or a snack.

For patients taking this medicine to prevent malaria :

• Your doctor may want you to start taking this medicine 1 to 2 weeks before you travel to an area where there is a chance of getting malaria. This will help you to see how you react to the medicine. Also, it will allow time for your doctor to change your medicine if you have a reaction to this medicine.
• Also, you should keep taking this medicine while you are in the area and for 4 weeks after you leave the area. No medicine will protect you completely from malaria. However, to protect you as completely as possible, it is important that you keep taking this medicine for the full time your doctor ordered . Also, if fever develops during your travels or within 2 months after you leave the area, check with your doctor immediately .
• This medicine works best when you take it on a regular schedule. For example, if you are to take it once a week, it is best to take it on the same day each week. Do not miss any doses . If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.

For patients taking this medicine to treat malaria :

• To help clear up your infection completely, take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor .

For patients taking this medicine to self-treat presumed malaria :

• After you take this medicine to self-treat presumed malaria, you should continue to take your other medicine for malaria once a week.

Dosing - The dose of sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine combination will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine combination. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For treatment of malaria:
  • Adults and teenagers: 3 tablets as a single dose on the third day of quinine therapy.
  • Children: Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
• For self-treatment of presumed malaria :
  • Adults and teenagers: 3 tablets as a single dose when you get a fever and medical care is not available.
  • Children 2 months of age and older: Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose may range from 1/2 tablet to 3 tablets taken as a single dose.
• For prevention of malaria:
  • Adults and teenagers: 1 tablet once every seven days, or 2 tablets once every fourteen days.
  • Children 2 months of age and older: Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose may range from 1/4 tablet to 3/4 tablet taken once every seven days, or 1/2 tablet to 11/2 tablets taken once every fourteen days.

Missed dose - For patients taking this medicine to prevent malaria : If you do miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. This will help to keep you taking your medicine on a regular schedule. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children. Overdose of sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine combination is very dangerous in children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.