13/11/2024
TODAYS HEALTH TALK
TWO THINGS TO AVOID WHEN TAKING AN ANTIMALARIA DRUG👇
When taking an antimalaria drug avoid
1)BLOOD TONICS
This is because when you have malaria,the parasites destroys your red blood cells to feast on the iron it contains which makes them multiply ( that is like their food).
So if you take blood tonic (which contains iron) , you are indirectly feeding the parasites and helping them multiply. Always finish your antimalarial treatment before you start taking any blood tonic
2)VITAMIN C(or anything that contains it eg Fruits)
Antimalaria drugs which are the Artemisinin based combination therapy ( Amatem, Lonart, P. Alaxin) when taken, work by releasing oxidative ions, which helps mop up the malaria parasites.
But when you take Vitamin c which are antioxidants (Antioxidants fights the oxidative ions released by anti malaria) they counter the effect of the anti malaria you used, leaving the malaria parasite to multiply and cause more symptoms
These things above could be the reason you are always treating malaria every two weeks or every one month.
Also note that, not finishing your medication even after you're feeling better could be another reason for treatment failure.
- DR. INNOCENT ONU (BIKEM)
