ANTI MALARIA MEDICATION

Malaria is a common and serious tropical disease transmitted by mosquito bites.  Poor compliance with anti malarial tablets is the major reason for malaria in travellers. 
Adverse effects to anti-malarial tablets are common, but most are minor.

You should remember that malaria tablets don’t provide full protection, so malaria prevention precautions are important such as:

1. Preventing mosquito bites by covering up with clothing and using insect repellent
2. Comply with anti malarial tablets
3. Fever or flu should be investigated as soon as possible

Malarone

It is taken on a daily basis commencing 2 days before entering malarial zone, continue while in the malarial zone and days after leaving malaria zone.

Doxycycline

It is taken on a daily basis commencing 2 days before entering malarial zone, continue while in the malarial zone and 4 weeks after leaving malaria zone, you should take it with a large amount of fluids.  Females taking contraception, such as the pill should take extra precaution, as the effect of the contraception will be reduced when taking Doxycycline and could cause possible vaginal thrush.

Contraindications of using doxycycline:-

Pregnancy
Breast feeding
Children <8
Previous reaction to sun light

Side Effects with doxycycline.
• Increase sensitivity to sun light, especially in light skinned people, therefore use a high blocking factor agent.
• Abdominal discomfort, nausea, diarrhoea.
• Take extra precaution if taking contraception such as the pill.( eg condom)
• May cause vaginal thrush

Mefloquine  (Lariam)

Commence mefloquine once a week, 3 weeks before travelling to malarial zone. Continue while in malarial zone and 4 weeks after leaving malaria zone.  Mefloquine should be taken after food with plenty of fluids and the same day every week.  If you experience any side effects you should inform your doctor.
You should avoid lariam in the first 3 months of pregnancy and also avoid getting pregnant while on lariam and for 3 months after completing treatment.

Side Effects associated with Mefloquine:

• Abdominal discomfort, Nausea
• Dizzy, headache
• Anxiety, depression, hallucination
• Sleep disturbance
• Skin Irritation

Please tell us if:

1. Breast feeding or pregnant
2. You have a history of psychiatric disturbances or convulsions
3. You have liver or kidney problems
4. You take Quinine tablets or medication for blood pressure, epilepsy or anticoagulants
5. You have any heart condition.

Chloroquine

It is taken once each week commencing 1 week before entering a malarial zone, continue while in the malarial zone and 4 weeks after leaving malaria zone.

Side Effects associated with Chloroquine:

• Abdominal discomfort, nausea
• Unpleasant taste
• Dizzy / Headache
• Blurring vision
• Skin irritation
• Psoriasis may be aggravated and generally patient with epilepsy should avoid chloroquine.
Proguanil (Paludrine)

It is taken on a daily basis commencing 4 days before entering malarial zone, continue while in the malarial zone and 4 weeks after leaving malaria zone.

Side Effects associated with Proguanil:

• Unpleasant taste
• Abdominal discomfort, nausea
• Mouth ulcer