Contents of a Malaria Oral Kit
A standard malaria oral kit should contain artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) as the primary treatment component, along with supportive medications for symptom management and appropriate dosing information.
Essential Components
Primary Antimalarial Medications
- Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) 1:
- Artemether-lumefantrine (first-line treatment): 4 tablets at 0,8,24,36,48, and 60 hours with fatty meals
- Alternative: Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (3 tablets daily for 3 days in fasting condition)
Secondary Antimalarials (for specific situations)
Chloroquine phosphate tablets 2:
- For chloroquine-sensitive regions or specific Plasmodium species
- Typical adult dose: 600mg, 600mg, 300mg at 0,24, and 48 hours
Primaquine 2:
- For radical cure of P. vivax or P. ovale (to eliminate liver hypnozoites)
- Dosage: 0.5 mg base/kg body weight daily for 14 days (maximum 30 mg)
Supportive Medications
Paracetamol/acetaminophen tablets 2:
- For fever and pain management
Oral rehydration salts (ORS) 2:
- For maintaining hydration, especially important with fever
Additional Components
Glucose powder 2:
- For emergency management of hypoglycemia, which can occur in malaria
Dosing information cards 1:
- Weight-based dosing guidelines for all included medications
- Adult and pediatric dosing schedules
Specialized Considerations
For Children
- Pediatric formulations 2:
- Artemether-lumefantrine pediatric tablets (62.5 mg/25 mg)
- Weight-based dosing charts:
- 5-8 kg: 2 pediatric tablets × 3 days
- 9-10 kg: 3 pediatric tablets × 3 days
- 11-20 kg: 4 pediatric tablets or 1 adult tablet × 3 days
For Pregnant Women
- Pregnancy-safe options 1:
- Artemether-lumefantrine (safe in all trimesters)
- Specific dosing information for pregnant women
Important Warnings and Instructions
- G6PD testing recommendation before primaquine administration 2
- Instructions to take artemether-lumefantrine with fatty food to improve absorption 1
- Warning signs that indicate need for urgent medical attention 2
- Importance of completing the full course of treatment 3
Clinical Considerations
The choice of antimalarial medication should be based on:
- Local resistance patterns in the region where malaria was acquired 1
- Plasmodium species (P. falciparum vs. non-falciparum) 4
- Patient characteristics (age, pregnancy status, comorbidities) 1
Artemisinin-based combinations have shown efficacy rates exceeding 95% for uncomplicated malaria 3, making them the cornerstone of modern malaria treatment kits. The WHO and CDC both recommend ACTs as first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria in most regions of the world due to widespread chloroquine resistance 1, 4.
Remember that oral kits are only appropriate for uncomplicated malaria. Severe malaria requires injectable artesunate and immediate hospitalization 2.