Malaria is a tropical disease that can be spread by a single mosquito bite, it can be serious if not treated quickly with antimalarial tablets.

Malaria is common in many tropical countries, it is recommended that you do not visit countries with a high risk of malaria while pregnant.

Malaria is a serious tropical disease that is spread by mosquitoes. It’s caused by the Plasmodium parasite which enters our bloodstream in the mosquito’s saliva when it bites us. The parasites grow and multiply in our red blood cells causing them to burst every 2-3 days. This leads to the symptoms of fever, chills and sweating. If left untreated the disease can be life-threatening.

There are different types of Plasmodium parasites that are more prevalent in different areas of the world. However, not all mosquitoes are infected by these parasites and therefore cannot cause malaria.

• Plasmodium falciparum – mainly found in Africa and the most common of the parasites. It’s responsible for the most deaths worldwide.
• Plasmodium vivax – mainly found in Asia and South America. This parasite causes milder symptoms than
• Plasmodium falciparum, but can stay in the liver for up to 3 years, which can lead to relapses.
• Plasmodium ovale – fairly uncommon but usually found in West Africa. It can remain in your liver for several years without showing any symptoms.
• Plasmodium malariae – quite rare and usually only found in Africa.
• Plasmodium knowlesi – very rare and found in parts of southeast Asia.

Most antimalarial tablets work by stopping the malaria parasite from producing certain proteins which help it multiply, thus helping your body fight the infection. 

Your choice of treatment depends on many different factors, such as your health, personal preference and where you are travelling to. In some locations, the malaria parasite has greater tolerance to certain malaria drugs so it is important to check which treatment will be the most effective depending on where you are going.

More information on travelling to areas that pose a risk of malaria can be found here:

https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/malaria.aspx

The antimalarial tablets we offer are unsuitable for pregnant women. We highly recommend that you contact your GP to find an alternative if you need to visit a high-risk area. It is vital that you protect yourself from malaria if pregnant as it can lead to serious complications. You should also contact your doctor if you want to try for a baby soon and need to take malaria tablets.

About Malarone

Malarone tablets contain the two drugs atovaquone and proguanil, which are used to prevent and treat malaria. Malaria is caused by a parasite that gets into the bloodstream of its host. Malarone stops this parasite from reproducing. Malarone can also be used to prevent the most serious type of malaria – malignant malaria, which can be resistant to other antimalarials.

To use Malarone, take one tablet every day starting from two days before you depart. Take one tablet every day whilst abroad and continue to take your treatment for a further seven days after you have left a high risk area. It is best to take the tablets with food or a milky drink.

We offer a number of Malarone treatment durations. You should choose the treatment duration that fully covers your length of stay abroad. If you will be away for longer than the treatments listed on our website, please get in touch and we may be able to provide you with a longer treatment.

Malarone is generally not advised during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It is recommended that you do not visit countries with a high risk of malaria while pregnant. If travel is absolutely essential, please discuss your treatment options with your GP.

Patient information leaflet:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.947.pdf

About Doxycycline

Doxycycline is an antibiotic that is used to treat and prevent malaria. To use doxycycline, take one capsule every day starting from two days before you depart. Take one capsule every day whilst abroad and continue to take your treatment for a further four weeks after you have left a high-risk area. The capsules should be taken with water on an empty stomach, at roughly the same time every day. 

We offer a number of Doxycycline treatment durations. You should choose the treatment duration that fully covers your length of stay abroad. If you will be away for longer than the treatments listed on our website, please get in touch and we may be able to provide you with a longer treatment.

It’s important not to take supplements containing iron, magnesium or zinc at the same time as Doxycycline, as they may interfere with the drug preventing it from being absorbed into the body.

Doxycycline can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. While taking Doxycycline you should avoid exposure to sunlight or sunbeds and apply a high SPF (30+) to exposed skin.

Doxycycline is not safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It is recommended that you do not visit countries with a high risk of malaria while pregnant. If travel is absolutely essential, please see your GP for an alternative.

Patient information leaflet:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.10218.pdf

Alternative Treatments

You should still take other malaria preventative measures whilst abroad for full coverage even while on an antimalarial treatment.

Wear long clothes, especially during the evening and night to protect your skin. Use an anti-malaria spray containing DEET to deter mosquitoes and other insects. Also use mosquito nets if sleeping in a high risk area.

There is no vaccine for malaria, so it is vital to take all preventative measures to stop yourself from being infected.

Do I need to use mosquito repellent together with malaria tablets?

Yes. You should take other malaria preventative measures whilst abroad for full coverage. Wear long sleeves, use mosquito repellent, nets and air conditioning, where possible. It is recommended to use a mosquito repellent that contains at least 20% DEET.

Side effects

Doxycycline:

Common side effects (affects 1-10% of the population)

• Hypersensitivity
• Headache
• Nausea/vomiting
• Photosensitivity
• Rash

For a full list of side effects, please read the patient information leaflet.

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.10218.pdf

Malarone:

Very common side effects (affects more than 10% of the population)

• Headache
• Nausea/vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Abdominal pain

Common side effects (affects 1-10% of the population)

• Anaemia
• Anorexia
• Allergic reactions
• Abnormal dreams/insomnia
• Depression
• Dizziness
• Rash/itch
• Fever
• Cough

For a full list of side effects, please read the patient information leaflet.

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.947.pdf

Symptoms of malaria generally develop within 7 to 18 days of being bitten by an infected mosquito. However in some cases symptoms can take much longer to develop.

The main symptoms of malaria are similar to the flu and include:

• High temperature
• Shivers
• Headache
• Muscle pains
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue

If you’ve been to a high risk area in the past year and start to show some of the above symptoms, then you should seek medical advice immediately. Without appropriate treatment, symptoms can worsen and lead to breathing problems and organ failure.