Antimalarials

When to book an antimalarial consultation

Book a travel health consultation 4 to 6 weeks before travelling to a malaria-risk country, which includes large areas of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, parts of the Middle East and some Pacific islands.

Some people are at higher risk of severe illness and should always seek advice before travelling:

• Pregnant women, as malaria can cause serious complications for mother and baby
• Babies and young children
• Adults over 65
• People with weakened immune systems, including those on immunosuppressants
• People without a spleen, or with a non-functioning spleen

Malaria symptoms

Symptoms usually appear 7 to 18 days after an infected bite, though they can take months or up to a year:

• A high temperature, fever or chills
• Feeling hot and shivery, or sweating episodes
• Headaches and confusion
• Muscle aches and pains
• Extreme tiredness
• Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or diarrhoea
• Loss of appetite
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

Seek urgent medical attention for any of these within 12 months of returning from a malaria-risk area, and mention your travel history.

Types of antimalarial tablets

• Atovaquone and proguanil (Malarone) - daily, starting 1 to 2 days before travel and continuing 7 days after returning. Generally well tolerated with fewer side effects than some alternatives
• Doxycycline - daily, starting 1 to 2 days before travel and continuing 4 weeks after returning. Affordable, though it increases sensitivity to sunlight
• Mefloquine (Lariam) - weekly, starting 2 to 3 weeks before travel and continuing 4 weeks after returning. Not suitable for everyone due to possible neuropsychiatric side effects

Antimalarials for travel are not free on the NHS and require a private prescription. Our independent prescribing pharmacists can assess you, prescribe and dispense in a single visit, with no GP appointment needed.

Preventing mosquito bites

• Use insect repellent containing at least 50% DEET on exposed skin
• Sleep under an insecticide-treated mosquito net
• Wear long sleeves and trousers, especially in the evening and at night
• Keep doors and windows closed or screened
• Consider a plug-in insecticide vaporiser in your room

It takes just one bite to become infected, so combine tablets with bite prevention for the best protection.

Find antimalarial tablets near you

No GP referral required. Independent prescribing pharmacists, all major antimalarial brands, fast appointments often within days, and a full travel health consultation included. Use the postcode search above to find your nearest Allied Pharmacy.