Malaria tablets: dose for children
The following malaria tablets can be given to children to prevent malaria. The pharmacist can prepare capsules containing the correct dose. There is no malaria medication in sirop.
Atovaquone/proguanil
- Can be used for children from 5 kg.
- Junior tablets (62.5/25 mg) or tablets for adults (250/100 mg).
- The tablets for adults can be cut into quarters using a tablet cutter. This is best done just prior to taking the tablet. If the tablets are cut well in advance, this can have an impact on the efficacy of the ingredients.
- Take the tablet during a meal.
Dose of atovaquone/proguanil for children
| Weight of child in kg | Number of tablets per day |
| <5 | Not recommended |
| 5-7 | ½ juniortablet |
| 8-10 | ¾ juniortablet |
| 11-20 | 1 junior tablet or ¼ adult tablet |
| 21-30 | 2 junior tablets or ½ adult tablet |
| 31-40 | 3 junior tablets or ¾ adult tablet |
| From 40 | 1 adult tablet |
Mefloquine
- Available in tablets of 250 mg.
- Can be used for children from 5 kg.
- The tablets for adults can be cut into quarters using a tablet cutter, or the pharmacist can prepare a special formulation.
Dose of mefloquine for children: 4-5 mg/kg/week to a maximum of 250 mg
| Weight of child in kg | Number of tablets once per week |
| <5 | Not recommended |
| 5-10 | ⅛ tablet |
| 11-20 | ¼ tablet |
| 21-30 | ½ tablet |
| 31-45 | ¾ tablet |
| vanaf 45 | 1 tablet |
Doxycycline
- Can be used for children from 8 years of age.
- The dose is 2 mg/kg/day to a maximum of 100 mg per day.
- Children > 45 kg: 100 mg/day.
Different schedules and different medicines are used for the treatment of malaria. Also read the general measures to prevent malaria.