Doxycycline malaria tablets

Doxycycline is a type of antibiotic that belongs to a group known as the tetracyclines. It’s used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections and to prevent malaria.

Doxycycline prevents bacteria from being able to grow by stopping them from producing the essential proteins they need to survive. It also works against the parasite that causes malaria in a similar way, meaning it can be used both to treat and prevent malaria.

Doxycycline prevents malaria by stopping the parasites that enter the blood via a mosquito bite from being able to create proteins. This means the parasites are unable to grow or replicate, stopping the disease from progressing and improving any symptoms that are present as the parasites die off.

The drug may also stop the parasite from entering liver cells, where the first stage of malaria occurs.

How effective is doxycycline as malaria prophylaxis?

Research suggests that doxycycline is an effective drug for preventing malaria, protecting against 92 to 98% of infections, depending on the strain of parasite that is causing the infection.

To prevent malaria, take 100mg of doxycycline with water and food at around the same time every day.

You should start taking it 1 to 2 days before entering the area where malaria is present and continue throughout your stay. Make sure you take the tablet when sitting upright to avoid heartburn, and avoid lying down for at least an hour after taking it.

You should continue taking doxycycline every day for 4 weeks after leaving the area. When you finish taking doxycycline, watch out for any fever you might get within the next 12 months. If you do get a fever, check with a doctor to be sure that you do not have malaria.

What to do if you miss a dose

If you miss a dose, take the missed tablet as soon as you remember, and then carry on with the schedule. You can skip the missed dose if it’s nearly time for the next dose – never take 2 doses at once.

Doxycycline can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so it’s important to wear sun cream and cover up in the sun to protect your skin while taking the medication.

Although many people take doxycycline without a problem, it’s possible to experience side effects.

The common side effects of doxycycline, affecting up to 1 in 10 people, include:

• hypersensitivity (including anaphylaxis in some cases)
• headaches
• feeling or being sick
• rashes
• skin sensitivity to light

Heartburn is an uncommon side effect of doxycycline, affecting between 1 in 100 and 1,000 people taking the medication.

Rare side effects of doxycycline, affecting between 1 in 1,000 and 10,000 people, include:

• fungal infections (thrush)
• low white or red blood cell levels
• severe drug reactions, including Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) and Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction, both of which can cause a rash and fever
• thyroid discolouration
• porphyria (build-up of natural chemicals called porphyrins)
• reduced appetite
• ringing in the ears
• anxiety
• raised blood pressure in the brain
• visual changes
• flushing
• pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas)
• colitis (gut inflammation)
• oesophageal ulcers or inflammation
• anal or genital ulcers
• difficulty swallowing
• tongue or mouth inflammation
• abdominal pain
• reduced liver function, liver inflammation, toxicity, or failure
• jaundice
• muscle or joint pain
• skin rashes, redness, or darkening
• increased urea in the blood

Most side effects usually clear up with time or after stopping the medication, but if you’re worried, it’s always best to speak to a doctor.

If you’re experiencing the following signs of anaphylaxis, this is a medical emergency and you should call 999:

• breathing or swallowing issues
• facial swelling
• wheezing
• dizziness or reduced consciousness
• very fast heart rate

What to do if you get doxycycline side effects

Mild side effects of doxycycline, like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, can be managed at home by staying hydrated and eating small, plain meals. It may also help to take your medication with food.

Learn more about side effects in the patient information leaflet that comes with the medication packaging.

Doxycycline may not be right for everyone – certain conditions or medications can interact with doxycycline and make it less effective, or potentially unsafe.

You should not take doxycycline if you are:

• allergic to doxycycline, any non-active ingredients found in the medication, or other antibiotics of the same family (tetracyclines)
• pregnant
• breastfeeding
• under 12 years old

Doxycycline may not be suitable for people who have:

• liver problems
• kidney problems
• severe skin problems
• had diarrhoea in the past when taking antibiotics
• systemic lupus erythematosus
• myasthenia gravis (a condition that causes muscle weakness)

You should discuss any health conditions with a doctor before taking the medication.

Other medications can interact with doxycycline, which can make them less effective or even lead to health problems, including:

• antacids containing aluminium, calcium, magnesium, or other drugs containing zinc, iron salts, or bismuth
• penicillin antibiotics
• blood thinners, including warfarin
• drugs for epilepsy, including barbiturates, carbamazepine, and phenytoin
• methoxyflurane
• ciclosporin
• retinoids

You should always discuss the medications you’re taking with a doctor before starting doxycycline to make sure it’s safe for you to take them together.

There is limited evidence that doxycycline may make the contraceptive pill less effective, but this is unlikely, and additional precautions are not required.

Doxycycline and alcohol

Alcohol may speed up how quickly doxycycline is broken down by the body, making it less effective, and can increase the risk of liver problems, so it’s best to avoid drinking while taking doxycycline.

Doxycycline is a prescription-only medication, which means you cannot buy it online without a prescription. However, you can request it from a reputable online prescription service like Asda Online Doctor.

Can I buy doxycycline online?

Yes, to request doxycycline from us, you will need to:

1. Complete a short set of medical questions that will be reviewed by one of our doctors.
2. Create a free patient account, if you do not already have one, and make a payment. Then, choose the delivery options that suit you.
3. Our doctors will check your medical questionnaire and prescribe doxycycline if suitable. If it is not, they may be able to offer an alternative treatment.
4. Your medication will be dispatched and sent to your chosen address in discreet packaging.

Getting doxycycline through our malaria prevention service allows you to stay protected while you’re away, with the advantage of not having to visit a clinic in person to get a prescription and your medication. We’ve got you covered, with the option to get up to 6 months worth of malaria prevention treatment.

Can I buy doxycycline for malaria over the counter?

No, doxycycline is a prescription-only medication, so you will need a doctor’s approval to obtain it.

Can I get doxycycline for malaria on the NHS?

No, medication to prevent malaria is not available on the NHS, and you will require a private prescription. You can purchase doxycycline or an alternative anti-malarial medication from a private travel clinic or pharmacy in person or online.

Doxycycline is not the only medication that can protect against malaria. Another medication may be more suitable for you if you’re unable to take doxycycline or you know that the area you’re visiting has doxycycline-resistant strains of malaria.

Atovaquone and Proguanil (Maloff/Malarone)

Tablets containing both atovaquone and proguanil are a popular alternative to doxycycline for malaria prevention. They are available from Asda Online Doctor under the brand name Maloff.

There is less resistance to this combination of anti-malarial medication, and you do not need to take them for so long after your trip, but they may not be suitable for everyone. They are also more expensive.

Mefloquine

An alternative anti-malarial medication, mefloquine, needs to be taken from 2 to 3 weeks before your trip and for 4 weeks afterwards.

Mefloquine is safe for children and for long-term use in many cases, but may not be suitable for people with a history of mental illness or certain other health conditions.

Mefloquine is not available from Asda Online Doctor.

Chloroquine

Chloroquine is another alternative medication. It can be bought without a prescription from some pharmacies.

Chloroquine-resistant malaria is becoming more common. You should check whether the area you’re travelling to is known to have chloroquine-resistant strains of malaria, as this will mean chloroquine will not be effective for your trip.

Chloroquine is not available from Asda Online Doctor.

Other prevention methods

No medication is 100% effective against malaria, and it’s best to take other precautions against malaria when travelling to high and medium-risk areas, such as:

• wearing insect repellent on your bare skin, such as DEET
• wearing long sleeves and loose clothing
• staying away from areas where mosquitoes breed, such as swamps, lakes, or ponds
• sleeping under a mosquito net
• using chemical plug-in mosquito repellents
• wearing long socks and avoiding open shoes like sandals

➤ You can find more about malaria prevention in our malaria tips guide.