National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Malaria


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Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite that commonly infects a certain type of mosquito which feeds on humans. Infection with malaria parasites may result in a wide variety of symptoms, ranging from absent or very mild symptoms to severe disease and even death. People who get malaria are typically very sick with high fevers, shaking chills, and flu-like illness. In general, malaria is a curable disease if diagnosed and treated promptly and correctly. Treatment depends on many factors including disease severity, the species of malaria parasite causing the infection and the part of the world in which the infection was acquired.[1]
Last updated: 5/12/2011

FDA-Approved Treatments

The medication(s) listed below have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as orphan products for treatment of this condition. Learn more orphan products.

  • Halofantrine (Brand name: Halfan™ ) - Manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline
    FDA-approved indication: Treatment of adults who can tolerate oral medication and who have mild to moderate malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum or Plasmodium vivax.
    National Library of Medicine Drug Information Portal
  • Tafenoquine (Brand name: Krintafel) - Manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline
    FDA-approved indication: July 2018, tafenoquine (Krintafel) was approved for the radical cure (prevention of relapse) of Plasmodium vivax malaria in patients aged 16 years and older who are receiving appropriate antimalarial therapy for acute P. vivax infection.
  • Mefloquine HCl (Brand name: Lariam ) - Manufactured by Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc.
    FDA-approved indication: Treatment of acute malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. Prophylaxis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria which is resistant to other available drugs.
    National Library of Medicine Drug Information Portal
  • Quinine sulfate (Brand name: Qualaquin) - Manufactured by AR Holding Company, Inc.
    FDA-approved indication: Treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
    National Library of Medicine Drug Information Portal
    Medline Plus Health Information

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Malaria. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • You can obtain information on this topic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC is recognized as the lead federal agency for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States.
  • MedlinePlus was designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, and it provides more information about this topic.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • MeSH® (Medical Subject Headings) is a terminology tool used by the National Library of Medicine. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Malaria. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

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  1. Malaria. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 8, 2010; http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/index.html. Accessed 5/12/2011.