A Review of Doxycycline-Based Malaria Treatment Regimens: Efficacy, Safety, and Resistance Patterns
Suryakant Jaiswal1, V Ramya Shri2, Nidhi Soni1, Rohit Singh2, Tanu Sahu1, Himani Netam1, Shruti2 and Gyanesh Kumar Sahu2*
1Rungta Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Kohka, Bhilai, India
2Rungta Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research Kohka, Bhilai, India
*Corresponding Author: Gyanesh Kumar Sahu, Professor and Dean, Rungta Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Kohka, Kurud, Bhilai, India.
Received:
March 24, 2025; Published: April 10, 2025
The potential of the broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic doxycycline to treat and prevent malaria has been investigated, especially when combined with other antimalarial medications. This study examines the pharmacodynamics, clinical effectiveness, possible advantages, difficulties, and new resistance patterns related to the use of doxycycline to treat malaria. Doxycycline's changing function in malaria prevention and the treatment of both severe and uncomplicated malaria is examined. Its significance in treating Plasmodium falciparum, the most prevalent and severe malaria parasite, which is resistant to many drugs, is given particular emphasis. Doxycycline has been used in medicine for almost 40 years and belongs to the tetracycline class of antibiotics. It is a bacteriostatic medication that is well tolerated and works by blocking bacterial ribosomes. Usually, a dosage of 100 mg per day or twice daily is used. It has typically strong tissue penetration and is well absorbed. When renal or hepatic impairment is present, the dose does not need to be changed because the serum half-life is 18–22 hours. It is typically contraindicated in pregnancy or infancy due to worries about discoloration of developing teeth and possible effects on growing bones. The main adverse effects are gastrointestinal and dermatological.
Keywords: Broad-Spectrum; Doxycycline; Plasmodium; Medication; Bacteriostatic.
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