What are the side effects of antimalarial drugs?
High doses of the antimalarial drug pyrimethamine may cause blood problems that can interfere with healing and increase the risk of infection. People taking this drug should be careful not to injure their gums when brushing or flossing their teeth or using toothpicks. If possible, dental work should be postponed until treatment is complete and the blood has returned to normal. The most common side effects of antimalarial drugs are diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, stomach cramps or pain, loss of appetite, headache, itching, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, lightheadedness, and sleep problems. These problems usually go away as the body adjusts to the drug and do not require medical treatment. Less common side effects, such as hair loss or loss of color in the hair; skin rash; or blue-black discoloration of the skin, fingernails, or inside of the mouth also may occur and do not need medical attention unless they are long-lasting. More serious side effects are not common, but may occur. I
