# Malaria Treatment in Nigeria: Drugs, Prices & What Works - Source: https://ogbogwu.com/conditions/malaria/ - Last updated: July 2026 - Educational information, not medical advice. Malaria remains Nigeria's biggest infectious disease burden — the country accounts for around a quarter of the world's malaria cases, and nearly every Nigerian will treat it many times in their life. Almost all malaria here is caused by Plasmodium falciparum, the most dangerous species, which is why treating it promptly and with the right drug matters. Nigeria's national treatment policy is clear: uncomplicated malaria is treated with an artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), most commonly artemether-lumefantrine. Severe malaria — a medical emergency — is treated in hospital with injectable artesunate. Older drugs like chloroquine are no longer recommended against falciparum malaria because the parasite is widely resistant to them. Because malaria drugs are among the most counterfeited medicines in Nigeria, where you buy matters as much as what you buy. Always check the pack's NAFDAC number before paying — you can verify any number free with our NAFDAC checker. ## Signs & symptoms - Fever, often coming in waves, with chills and shivering - Headache and body/joint aches - Tiredness and weakness - Nausea, vomiting, or poor appetite - Bitter taste in the mouth (commonly reported) - In severe malaria: confusion, convulsions, dark urine, yellow eyes, difficulty breathing, or inability to eat/drink — go to a hospital immediately ## Medicines used in Nigeria - artemether lumefantrine (https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/artemether-lumefantrine/): First-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria in Nigeria (the standard 3-day ACT course; brands include Coartem and Lonart) - artesunate amodiaquine (https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/artesunate-amodiaquine/): First-line alternative ACT — once daily for 3 days (brands include Camosunate and Diasunate) - dihydroartemisinin piperaquine (https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine/): Alternative ACT for uncomplicated malaria, taken once daily for 3 days - artesunate (https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/artesunate/): Injectable treatment for severe malaria, given in a clinic or hospital — not for self-treatment at home - sulfadoxine pyrimethamine (https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine/): Preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp), taken at antenatal visits — no longer used to treat active malaria - paracetamol (https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/paracetamol/): Supportive relief of fever and body aches alongside an ACT - chloroquine (https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/chloroquine/): No longer recommended for falciparum malaria in Nigeria due to widespread resistance — listed here so you know what not to buy for treatment ## How it's treated Test before you treat. Fever in Nigeria is not always malaria — typhoid, viral infections, and pneumonia can look similar. A malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) costs little, takes 15 minutes at most pharmacies and clinics, and prevents wasted treatment and masked diagnoses. For confirmed uncomplicated malaria, a full 3-day course of an ACT such as artemether-lumefantrine is the standard of care. Complete the full course even if you feel better on day two — stopping early is how treatment failure and resistance happen. Paracetamol can be taken alongside for fever and aches. ## See a doctor if - Any fever in a child under 5, or in pregnancy — same day - No improvement after 48 hours on a full ACT course - Signs of severe malaria: confusion, convulsions, repeated vomiting, dark or 'coca-cola' urine, yellow eyes, fast breathing - Fever that returns within two weeks of completing treatment - Before mixing malaria treatment with other regular medicines (e.g. ARVs, TB drugs) — ask a pharmacist or doctor about interactions ## Prevention - Sleep under a long-lasting insecticide-treated net (LLIN) — still the single most effective household protection - Pregnant women: attend antenatal care and take SP (IPTp) doses as scheduled - Clear stagnant water around the home; screen windows where possible - In high-transmission season, children in some northern states receive seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) — follow the local programme ## FAQs ### What is the best drug for malaria in Nigeria? For uncomplicated malaria, Nigeria's recommended first-line treatment is artemether-lumefantrine, an artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) sold under brands like Coartem and Lonart. Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine is an accepted alternative ACT. Severe malaria is treated in hospital with injectable artesunate. The full course must be completed for the treatment to work properly. ### Why is chloroquine no longer used for malaria? Plasmodium falciparum — the parasite behind nearly all Nigerian malaria — developed widespread resistance to chloroquine, so it frequently fails to clear the infection. Nigeria's treatment policy moved to ACTs. Chloroquine still has limited uses for other conditions, but it should not be bought to treat malaria. ### Can I treat malaria without doing a test? It's strongly discouraged. Many fevers in Nigeria are not malaria, and treating blindly wastes money, delays the real diagnosis, and fuels drug resistance. A rapid diagnostic test (RDT) at a pharmacy or clinic takes about 15 minutes. If the test is positive, treat with a full ACT course; if negative, the fever needs a different explanation. ### How much does malaria treatment cost in Nigeria? A full adult course of artemether-lumefantrine typically costs a few thousand naira depending on brand and location — see the live price guide on our artemether-lumefantrine page for current online prices. Injectable artesunate for severe malaria costs more and is given in a health facility. Beware of malaria drugs priced far below the market — counterfeits are common; verify the NAFDAC number before buying. ### How much is malaria injection in Nigeria? The 'malaria injection' is artesunate injection, and it is reserved for SEVERE malaria — given in a clinic or hospital, never as a shortcut for ordinary malaria. Expect the injection itself to cost a few thousand naira per vial at pharmacy prices (our artesunate page tracks current figures), with clinic charges on top; a full severe-malaria course uses several doses followed by oral ACT tablets. If you can swallow tablets and have uncomplicated malaria, a 3-day ACT like artemether-lumefantrine or artesunate-amodiaquine is the correct treatment — asking for an injection instead adds cost and risk without adding cure.