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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. Nigeria's guidelines recommend intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) given at antenatal visits, alongside sleeping under insecticide-treated nets.

Safe-use guidance

  • Register for antenatal care early — preventive malaria doses are given at scheduled visits from the second trimester.
  • Sleep under a long-lasting insecticide-treated net every night throughout pregnancy.
  • Do not skip antenatal appointments; each preventive dose adds protection for you and your baby.
  • Report any fever in pregnancy 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 street-bought 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'.
  • Preventive treatment is given under supervision at clinics; it is not a do-it-yourself regimen.

How GoDoctor helps

GoDoctor 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 street-bought 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'.; preventive treatment is given under supervision at clinics; it is not a do-it-yourself regimen.. When in doubt, ask a pharmacist or doctor before acting.
How can GoDoctor help with malaria prevention in pregnancy?
GoDoctor 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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