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Antimalarials

Malaria is a serious infection that is spread by mosquitoes in various parts of the world that can be fatal if it’s left untreated. However, there are antimalarial tablets you can take to protect you against the disease.

What Is Malaria?

Malaria is a very serious infection that can be contracted via mosquito bites, with high-risk locations including Central and South America, some Pacific islands, some regions in the Middle East, the Dominican Republic and Haiti, and large parts of Africa and Asia. Malaria is not present in the UK and you cannot contract it from someone else, but it can take just a single mosquito bite to contract the infection. The symptoms of malaria include:

A high temperature
Sweats and chills
Headaches
Confusion
Fatigue/drowsiness
Nausea
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Muscle pains
Yellow skin/whites of the eyes
Sore throat
Cough
Difficulty breathing

Symptoms typically manifest between seven to 18 days after you’ve been bitten by an infected mosquito. However, it is possible for symptoms to manifest months and even years after travel. If you’re planning to travel overseas, it’s advisable to check the malaria risk for your chosen destination before you travel so you know if you need to take antimalarials before you go. It is best to seek medical advice at least four to six weeks before you intend to travel so you can get all the relevant information you need.

What Are Antimalarials?

There are various antimalarial tablets available and the most appropriate course of treatment for you will depend on where you’re travelling. If you are going somewhere where the malaria parasites have developed a resistance to chloroquine, you will need to take doxycycline or Malarone to enjoy protection.

Malarone

Malarone is suitable for use in all destinations, including those where the parasite has developed a resistance to other forms of treatment. It must be taken daily from two days before you enter a high-risk region and for seven days after you get back. Common side-effects include strange dreams, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, as well as dizziness, rash, insomnia, mood disorders, coughing and blood changes.

Doxycycline

Doxycycline is also suitable for use in all destinations where malaria is a risk. The course of treatment must be started two days before you travel, with one tablet to be taken each day. You must also continue to take the tablets for four weeks after you get back from a high-risk region. Note that it can increase skin sun sensitivity, so it’s important to take extra precautions when outside in the sun to prevent sunburn. Other potential side-effects include nausea, loss of appetite and diarrhoea.

Chloroquine and Proguanil

Chloroquine and Proguanil is only suitable for use in certain destinations and the dosage will be dependent on your weight. Adults over 45kg should take the prescribed dose of chloroquine once a week on the same day, while taking proguanil once every day Ideally, start taking both tablets one week before entering a high-risk area and continue taking both tablets until four weeks after leaving. Potential side-effects include headache, diarrhoea and rash. As well as taking antimalarial tablets, bite prevention precautions should also be taken when in high-risk parts of the world, including insect repellent, trousers, long-sleeved shirts and mosquito nets. At Enimed Group, our pharmacies provide a range of different health interventions, including antimalarial tablets. Our team of pharmacists will provide you with the most appropriate course of treatment after a face-to-face travel consultation.

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