proguanil + folic acid

Proguanil + folic acid is a combination of two agents, proguanil (an antimalarial biguanide) and folic acid (a vitamin). Proguanil is used for the prevention and treatment of malaria, primarily by inhibiting the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase in Plasmodium species, thereby blocking DNA synthesis and cell multiplication in the parasite[2][5][6]. Folic acid is often co-administered with proguanil during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects due to its role as an essential vitamin for DNA synthesis. The addition of folic acid does not enhance antimalarial efficacy but helps mitigate potential antifolate side effects on human cells. This combination may be used in special circumstances such as malaria prophylaxis during pregnancy when supplementation with high-dose folic acid is recommended alongside proguanil[6].