Paludrine
(Proguanil Hydrochloride)

What Paludrine is and what it is used for

Paludrine contains a medicine called proguanil hydrochloride. This belongs to a group of medicines called ‘anti-malarials’. ‘Anti-malarials’ can be used in certain parts of the world to help prevent malaria. This is a serious disease spread by infected mosquitoes. Paludrine will give some degree of protection (prophylaxis) against malaria in certain countries. Paludrine can also be prescribed by a doctor to help suppress some types of malaria Medicines to help prevent malaria (malaria prophylaxis) are recommended for:
• People travelling to countries where malaria occurs.
• People living in malaria areas who are not immune to malaria. These people have little or no immunity to malaria, so they are at risk of severe attacks. You must get medical advice on which anti-malarial medicines to take. You must ask your doctor or pharmacist if Paludrine is suitable for the part of the world that you are visiting. In some countries you may have to take Paludrine with another medicine for maximum protection. Avoiding mosquito bites When you are taking this medicine to prevent malaria, you should also reduce the chances of being bitten by mosquitoes.
• Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved clothing and long trousers when you are outside after sunset.
• Use insect repellent creams or sprays on parts of your body not covered by clothing. Paludrine PIL UK 003
• Sleep in a properly screened room or under a mosquito net.
• Spray to kill any mosquitoes that may have entered rooms in spite of screening. Signs of malaria No medicine can be guaranteed to protect against malaria in every case. If you have a high temperature (fever) during your visit to a malaria area, or up to a year after returning home, you should suspect malaria. Contact a doctor straight away and let him or her know that you have visited a malaria area.

How to take Paludrine

If this medicine is from your doctor or pharmacist, take it exactly as they have told you. Otherwise, follow the instructions below. If you do not understand the instructions, or you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist. When to start taking your medicine
• Start taking this medicine one week before you enter the malaria area. If this is not possible, start taking this medicine at least two days before you enter the malaria area.
• You must continue to take it during your stay.
• You must keep taking this medicine for 4 weeks after leaving the malaria area. Adults and children over 14 years
• Take two tablets daily. Children
• Under 1 year (including babies who are being breast-fed): Take a quarter of a Paludrine tablet daily.
• Ages 1 to 4 years: Take half a Paludrine tablet daily.
• Ages 5 to 8 years: Take one Paludrine tablet daily.
• Ages 9 to 14 years: Take one and a half Paludrine tablets daily. How to take your tablets
• Take the tablet(s) at the same time each day.
• Take the tablet(s) after food.
• Swallow the tablet(s), or part tablets, whole with a drink of water.
• For a young child, the tablet(s) may be given crushed in milk, honey or jam. If you take more Paludrine tablets than you should If you take more Paludrine tablets than you should, talk to a doctor or go to a hospital straight away. Show any left-over medicines or the empty packet to the doctor. If you forget to take your Paludrine tablets
• If you forget to take a dose of Paludrine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is nearly time for the next dose of Paludrine, skip the missed dose.
• Do not take a double dose (two doses at the same time) to make up for a forgotten dose. Paludrine PIL UK 003 Stopping Paludrine Only stop taking Paludrine four weeks after leaving the malaria area or if your doctor tells you to. If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, Paludrine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Allergic reactions If you have an allergic reaction, stop taking Paludrine and get medical help or contact your doctor straight away. The signs may include:
• Difficulty in breathing.
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing.
• An itchy rash (similar to nettle rash or hives). Other possible side effects Stomach and gut
• Stomach upsets, diarrhoea, constipation. These usually improve as treatment continues. Mouth
• Mouth ulcers.
• Inflamed mouth. Skin
• Skin reactions, including itching, peeling and rash, sometimes with swelling of the affected area. Hair
• Hair loss (sometimes reversible). Blood
• If you have kidney problems, Paludrine may cause changes to your blood.
• A reduced number of blood cells. This can lead to easy or unexplained bruising, bleeding, serious infections, or feeling very tired, weak or breathless. Liver
• Liver problems which may cause yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes. Other
• High temperature (fever).
• Inflammation of blood vessels, which can cause tiredness, weakness, loss of appetite, rash, ulcers, blood shot eyes, pain in the joints, breathlessness and weight loss. Do not be concerned by this list of possible side effects. You may not get any of them.

Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the internet at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

How to Store Paludrine

Keep your medicine in a safe place where children cannot see or reach it. Your medicine could harm them.
• Do not store your medicine above 30o C.
• Protect the tablets from light and moisture.
• Keep the tablets in the container they came in.
• Do not take Paludrine after the expiry date stated on the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines that are no longer required. This will help to protect the environment.