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Pharmacist-reviewed guide

Malaria prevention in pregnancy — pharmacist-reviewed guide

Also known as IPTp, SP in pregnancy, malaria prophylaxis pregnant women.

This page is general health information, not a diagnosis. Always consult a licensed clinician about your own health.

What this covers

Malaria in pregnancy is dangerous for both mother and baby, raising the risk of anaemia, miscarriage, and low birth weight. In malaria-endemic areas, guidelines recommend intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) given at antenatal visits, alongside sleeping under insecticide-treated nets; pregnant travellers to such areas should seek pre-travel advice.

Safe-use guidance

  • If you are pregnant and planning travel to a malaria area, seek pre-travel advice early — some preventive medicines are unsuitable in pregnancy and travel may need to be reconsidered.
  • Where you live in or travel to an endemic area, sleep under a long-lasting insecticide-treated net every night throughout pregnancy.
  • Attend antenatal appointments; in endemic settings, scheduled preventive doses add protection for you and your baby.
  • Report any fever during or after travel to a malaria area promptly, and insist on a malaria test before treatment.
  • Continue iron and folic acid supplements as advised — malaria and anaemia compound each other.

Cautions

  • Never self-treat fever in pregnancy with leftover or unverified antimalarials; some are unsafe in pregnancy.
  • Herbal preparations marketed for 'body cleansing' in pregnancy can be harmful — discuss anything you take with a clinician.
  • Untreated malaria in pregnancy can progress quickly — do not 'wait it out'; seek emergency care for a high fever.
  • Preventive treatment is given under medical supervision; it is not a do-it-yourself regimen.

How iHealix helps

iHealix can connect pregnant women to a doctor for prompt fever assessment and safe prescriptions, and deliver antenatal supplements and insecticide-treated nets to your home.

Prescription medicines always require an in-app consultation with a licensed doctor first — the e-prescription then goes straight to a licensed partner pharmacy for dispensing and delivery.

Frequently asked questions

What should I be careful about with malaria prevention in pregnancy?
Key cautions: never self-treat fever in pregnancy with leftover or unverified antimalarials; some are unsafe in pregnancy.; herbal preparations marketed for 'body cleansing' in pregnancy can be harmful — discuss anything you take with a clinician.; untreated malaria in pregnancy can progress quickly — do not 'wait it out'; seek emergency care for a high fever.; preventive treatment is given under medical supervision; it is not a do-it-yourself regimen.. When in doubt, ask a pharmacist or doctor before acting.
How can iHealix help with malaria prevention in pregnancy?
iHealix can connect pregnant women to a doctor for prompt fever assessment and safe prescriptions, and deliver antenatal supplements and insecticide-treated nets to your home. Prescription medicines always require an in-app consultation with a licensed doctor first — the e-prescription then goes straight to a licensed partner pharmacy for dispensing and delivery.

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