Q: Dear Dr Ketch, is it safe to take Fansidar in pregnancy? My pregnancy is 4 months old and I was given Fansidar in the hospital. Is it safe to take this?
A: Thanks for writing in.
Fansidar is a specific brand of the drug Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP). It is used for the prevention of malaria in pregnancy. Its use for this is referred to as Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in pregnancy (IPTp-SP).
Is it safe in pregnancy? Yes and no. In the first trimester, it is not recommended for use but from the second trimester, it is considered the appropriate and indeed is recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) for administration to pregnant women. The assumed rule before was for pregnant women to receive 2 doses of this drug (full dose of 3 tablets) but WHO has since clarified that the appropriate regimen is for women to receive the full dose of Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine from week 13 of pregnancy. She should get a full dose at every antenatal visit provided the last dose was taken at least one month before. There is evidence that women who received 3 or more doses of IPTp had children with higher average birth weights than those who got 2 doses.
Your doctor will ensure that the Folic Acid dose you’re getting in your prenatal drugs is not more than 0.4mg. Doses of Folic Acid higher than or equal to 5mg affects the efficacy of the anti-malarial, SP. So, be sure to check with your doctor before you start buying other non-prescribed prenatal vitamins.
For the Nigerians, as we eagerly await the result of our votes, remember to rejoice with whoever wins and let’s play our parts to make Nigeria a great nation.
Good night, people 😀
chatwithketch 
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Thank you for that wonderful enlightenment. You really relieved me of my tension. I’m exactly 13 weeks today & I took my 1st dose of SP today. Thanks.
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pls i need to know if to take the fansidar given to me by my doctor at the ante-natal clinic cos am scared of taking it. am now 16weeks and 5days
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Is fansidar safe in breastfeeding
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Thanks for the explanation. Please what drug I mean malaria drug should a pregnant woman within 8-10weeks take against malaria.
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This was really informative. Am 22wks now & just took my first dose of fansidar 2day. I used to feel feverish at times & my urine is yellowish. I assume, I am infected with fever. Will d fansidar I took get rid of it or its just to prevent incase someone is not infected yet or do I need another brand of anti malaria drug? I hope to get ur useful reply soon. Thank You.
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I am 8 weeks old, please what malaria medicine can I take.
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My wife is 4month pregnant can take fancider it was given to her by her doctor.
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I am 25 weeks pregnant, the malaria test I did yesterday was positive (1+). Please which anti malaria drugs can you prescribe for me?
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My baby is two weeks old is fansidar safe for me
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