QUESTION

My son has Favism (G6PD deficient). He is going to stay for 2 years in Chad (malaria-endemic country). It is contraindicated for him to take antimalarial drugs. What can we do if he gets a malaria infection? One physician said that he can use Artelum (Artemether + Lumefantrine) for protection. Is it a right prescription?

ANSWER

Yes, you are correct that Primaquine (which along with chloroquine is used to treat people diagnosed with Plasmodium ovale or Plasmodium vivax infection) generally should not be given for people with G6PD deficiency. However, other malaria drugs are okay. The most common type of malaria in Chad is Plasmodium falciparum, and your doctor is correct is saying that  Artemether + Lumetantrine is the drug of choice to treat falciparum malaria and can be used by your son.   It is best however to take precautions against mosquito bites.  Please see more information: Malaria Prevention.