The NVBDCP guideline for treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium vivax malaria in an adult non-pregnant patient (after G6PD screening is normal) recommends:
- A Chloroquine for 3 days only
- B Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) plus Primaquine single dose
- C Chloroquine for 3 days plus Primaquine 0.25 mg/kg/day for 14 days ✓
- D Chloroquine for 3 days plus Tafenoquine single dose
Explanation
Under India's NVBDCP guidelines, P. vivax treatment consists of Chloroquine (25 mg/kg over 3 days: 10+10+5 mg base/kg) plus Primaquine 0.25 mg/kg/day for 14 days to eradicate liver hypnozoites (radical cure). G6PD screening must be done before Primaquine to avoid haemolytic anaemia. ACT is used for P. falciparum. Tafenoquine is not yet part of the Indian national programme. Single-dose primaquine is used only for P. falciparum gametocytocidal therapy.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.