Intermittent Presumptive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnancy (IPTP)

Clinical Description

• Intermittent Presumptive Treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) is one of the major malaria preventive strategies in Malawi
• Pregnant women should receive at least three doses of Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP) 525mg after the first trimester
• Administer three tablets of SP with each scheduled antenatal care visit after 1st trimester (at 13 weeks’ gestation)
• The doses should be administered at least four weeks apart and given as directly observed therapy (DOT)
• The last dose of SP can be delivered safely up until the time of delivery
• Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine can be given either on an empty stomach or with food

Note: HIV positive women receiving Cotrimoxazole Prophylaxis should not receive SP