Malaria Prophylaxis
If you are planning on travelling to one of the malaria areas of the world the right preparation may well save your life. Anti malaria tablets are a sound investment, come at very reasonable prices and can be ordered on-line for delivery, however some require a prescription from your doctor.
On this page we are going to cover in more depth the range of malaria tablets that are available to consumers. The drugs and measures used to prevent travellers catching malaria are often referred to as 'malaria prophylaxis', with the word 'prophylaxis' itself meaning 'medical or public health measures that are taken in order to prevent disease or health issues as opposed to attempting to treat a condition that has been caught, or to stem the outbreak of a certain disease'.
In plain terms anti malaria drugs are used in attempt to at best eradicate and at worst minimize the symptoms of malaria of somebody that will be exposed to the disease by travelling to one of the many malaria hotspots or malaria areas of the world.
Many of the anti malaria tablets available are only available via a prescription, however a trip to your doctor to discuss your travel activity plans will see that any anti malaria tablets that you need will be prescribed.
Avloclor (Chloroquine)
This malaria prophylaxis that can be purchased at a pharmacy or on-line. The usual recommended dosage of this drug is:
12 tablets for a weeks trip - 2 tablets a week before entering the malaria areas, 2 tables each week, on the same day whilst away in the malaria areas and finally 2 tablets per week on the same day for 4 weeks following your return from the malaria areas. This would mean 12 tablets for a single week of travel, 14 tablets for two weeks, 16 for 3 weeks and so on.
Side effects of Avloclor
It has been found that this anti malaria tablet causes the following side effects:- Stomach pains
- Back pains
- Mouth ulceration
- Light headedness
Paludrine
This is another malaria prophylaxis that is available over the counter at a pharmacy or on-line. The usual recommended dosage for this drug for an adult is:
84 tablets for a weeks trip - 2 tablets per day at the same time of day for one week prior to entering the malaria areas. 2 tablets per day whilst away in the malaria areas and 2 tablets each day for 4 weeks on your return home. This would mean 84 tablets for a single week of travel, 98 tablets for 2 weeks of travel, 112 tablets for 3 weeks of travel and so on.
A lesser dosage is required for children and this will be specified on the product specifications.
Side effects of Paludrine
It has been found that this anti malaria tablet causes the following side effects:
- Stomach pains
- Back pains
- Mouth ulceration
- Light headedness
Malarone (Atovaquone)
This malaria prophylaxis is only available via prescription and is the most expensive but also believed to be the most effective malaria prophylaxis. The usual recommended dosage for this drug is:
16 tablets for a weeks trip - 1 tablet each day for 2 days before entering the malaria areas, 1 tablet each day whilst in the malaria areas and then 1 tablet each day for 1 week on your return home. This would mean 16 tablets for a single week of travel, 23 tablets for 2 weeks of travel, 30 tablets for 3 weeks of travel and so on.
There is also a separate Malarone product which is also available by prescription only, for children. This is called Malarone Paedeatric
Please follow the link below if you wish to buy malarone on-line: www.pharmacyescrow.com
Side effects of Malarone(Atovaquone)
It is not often found that this anti malaria tablet causes side effects, however when it does the following symptoms in a mild fashion have been noted:
- Stomach pains
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Mouth ulceration
- Coughing
- Vivid dreams
Lariam (Mefloquine)
This is an malaria prophylaxis that is only available via prescription. The usual recommended dosage for this drug is:
8 tablets for a weeks trip - 1 tablet per week for three weeks prior to leaving for the malaria areas, 1 tablet a week whilst in the malaria area and 1 tablet a week for 4 weeks on your return home. This means 8 tablets for a single week of travel, 9 tablets for 2 weeks of travel, 10 tablets for 3 weeks of travel and so on.
A lesser dosage is required for children and this will be specified on the product specifications.
Side effects of Lariam (Mefloquine)
The following side effects have been found when this anti malaria tablet has been taken:- Nausea
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Sickness
- Panic attacks
- Skin irritation(your skin will become much more sensitive to sunlight)
- Headaches
Side effects have been known to last for several weeks and are the worse of the anti malaria tablets available.
Doxycycline (Vibramycin)
This malaria prophylaxis is only available via prescription and is suitable for children of the age of 12 and upwards. The usual recommended dosage for this drug is:
37 capsules for a weeks trip - 2 capsules each day for one week prior to leaving for the malaria areas, 1 capsule each day that you are in the malaria areas and 1 capsule each day for 4 weeks upon your return home. This means 37 capsules for a single weeks travel, 44 capsules for 2 weeks travel, 51 capsules for 3 weeks travel and so on.
Side effects of Doxycycline (Vibramycin)
It is not often found that this anti malaria tablet causes side effects, however when it does the following symptoms in a mild fashion have been noted:
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach pains
- Coughing
- Skin irritation
- Headaches
- Candida infection (an oral infection)
- Soreness of the tongue
- Vaginal irritation
- Bowel and liver inflammation
The reason that some of the above anti malaria tablets are recommended to be taken several weeks or days before you set off on your travels is to test your body against the possible side effects. The information that comes with each set of anti malaria tablets will confirm this and also confirm how long before setting off that drugs should be taken in order for the anti malaria tablet to be fully effective as opposed to also testing for the side effects, obviously this will be a shorter period beforehand.
We truly hope that you take heed to the warnings on this site and the information provided on this page and ensure that you vigilantly ensure you and you and travelling companions embark with the relevant malaria prophylaxis in place when travelling to a malaria area. Anti malaria tablets can be purchased via the links on this site at a variety of online dispensaries as well as over the counter at pharmacies and via a prescription from your doctor.
