Malaria Tablets

Malaria is caused by a parasite that is passed into the body through a mosquito bite. Malaria tablets work to kill this parasite, which will treat and prevent the disease. You should take malaria tablets before, during, and after a trip where you may be at risk of catching it. They can prevent malaria, reducing the risk of catching it by 90% or more.

Malaria tablets are mainly used as a prevention strategy, meaning you start taking them before you reach your travel destination. This means if you were to come into contact with the parasite, your malaria tablets should stop you getting the disease. You should speak to your doctor about which country you are travelling to, as they will be able to advise which malaria tablets are best for your destination.

There are 2 malaria tablets that we prescribe, both of which contain different active ingredients. Before choosing malaria tablets, speak to your doctor, as they will be able to inform you which malaria tablet is best for the country you’re visiting.

Maloff Protect (generic Malarone)

This malaria tablet contains 2 active ingredients called atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride. Maloff Protect malaria tablets should be taken 24 to 48 hours before travel, throughout your trip, and for 7 days after you return. You should take 1 tablet a day with a milky drink or food, as this makes sure the malaria tablet is absorbed properly. Maloff Protect is suitable for most travellers and does not often have side effects.

Maloff Protect has the same active ingredients and dosage as another tablet for malaria called Malarone. Malarone was the first brand of malaria tablets containing atovaquone and proguanil to become available in the UK. Asda Online Doctor doesn't prescribe Malarone, but Maloff Protect works the same way and the only difference is the manufacturer.

Doxycycline

Doxycycline is a generic antibiotic containing a medication called doxycycline, which can also be used as a preventative malaria tablet. It should be taken 24 to 48 hours before travelling and should not be stopped until 4 weeks after you’ve returned. It is important not to drink alcohol with Doxycycline, and protect yourself from direct sunlight.

Malaria tablets should be taken once daily and at the same time every day. The dosage for each malaria tablet is different. If you’re taking:

• Maloff Protect, or a generic atovaquone and proguanil: take 1 tablet every day, 24 to 48 hours before you go, during your trip, and for 7 days afterwards.
• doxycycline: take 100mg once a day in the morning. Start treatment 24 to 48 hours before travelling, and continue taking during your trip and for 4 weeks afterwards.

You can buy malaria pills for travel at any travel clinic or through an online doctor service, such as Asda Online Doctor. Most require a prescription, except Maloff Protect which is available over-the-counter at most pharmacies. The NHS doesn't offer NHS prescriptions for malaria pills for travel, even if you usually get free prescriptions.

To get malaria tablets through our service, simply complete a short questionnaire about your planned travels and medical history. One of our doctors will review this and approve malaria tablets if appropriate. They may also recommend a different type of malaria tablet if there’s a more suitable option.

Your order will then be sent to your home, or you can collect your malaria tablets at a local Asda pharmacy. Free aftercare advice is available through your patient account.

Can I get malaria tablets on the NHS?

Malaria tablets are not available on the NHS so you’ll need a private prescription to get them.

Can I buy malaria tablets over-the-counter?

Only Maloff Protect malaria tablets can be bought over-the-counter. You can speak to a pharmacist about whether Maloff Protect are the most suitable malaria tablets for your trip.

Malaria tablets can have side effects and these will depend on which tablets you are taking. Maloff Protect, and Atovaquone and Proguanil, contain the same active ingredient, so they have the same possible side effects. These malaria tablets are usually well-tolerated, meaning most people do not have any side effects at all.

The most common side effects for Maloff Protect, and Atovaquone and Proguanil, are:

• coughing
• depression
• fever
• headache
• nausea or vomiting (being sick)
• abdominal pain
• decreased appetite
• diarrhoea

If you get side effects you should:

• drink plenty of fluids
• eat or drink a milky drink when taking these tablets
• take paracetamol

If your side effects last longer than a few days, speak to your doctor about what other treatment might be available for you. It is important that you keep taking your malaria tablets if you can.

Uncommon side effects for Maloff Protect, and Atovaquone and Proguanil, are:

• anxiety
• blood disorders
• palpitations (heart racing or pounding)
• alopecia (hair loss)
• low sodium levels in the blood

If you get any of these side effects, speak to your doctor straight away and stop taking your malaria tablets.

Doxycycline is an antibiotic so it can come with different side effects. The most common side effects are:

• headaches
• sensitivity to sunlight
• feeling or being sick

If you get side effects, you can take paracetamol, try to avoid the sun, or take anti-sickness medication. These should go away within a few days of taking the medication, otherwise speak to your doctor about an alternative.

Doxycycline can have some serious side effects including:

• blood disorders
• buzzing in the ears
• liver problems
• muscle or joint pain
• diarrhoea
• increased pressure in the brain
• swollen or sore mouth, tongue, or lips
• severe pain in the stomach
• problems with your oesophagus (food pipe), such as pain when swallowing or acid reflux
• a decreased appetite

If you have any of these symptoms, speak to your doctor right away.

All malaria tablets come with the chance of a severe allergic reaction. Visit a hospital straight away if you show any signs of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling, wheezing, or a skin rash, as this is a medical emergency.

Malaria tablets aren’t suitable for everyone and this will depend on which malaria tablet you’re taking. Speak to your doctor before taking malaria tablets if you have any other health conditions, take any medications, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Maloff Protect (atovaquone and proguanil):

Maloff Protect (atovaquone and proguanil) malaria tablets shouldn’t be used if you have severe kidney disease. You may not be able to take these tablets if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, but our doctors can give you advice on this.

Some medications can alter the way Maloff Protect (atovaquone and proguanil) works. These include:

• blood thinning medications
• metoclopramide (nausea and vomiting medication)
• some antibiotics, such as rifabutin and rifampicin
• etoposide (cancer treatment)
• HIV medications

If you are taking any of these, do not take malaria tablets until you have spoken to your doctor.

Doxycycline:

Doxycycline should not be taken by children under the age of 12. It’s not usually recommended if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. You should not drink alcohol whilst using this medication, as it is less likely to work.

Doxycycline may not be suitable if you have:

• a condition that affects your kidneys
• a condition that affects your liver
• had an allergic reaction to doxycycline
• lupus (an autoimmune disease)
• an inflamed food pipe
• myasthenia gravis (a muscle wasting illness)
• diarrhoea, or usually get diarrhoea when taking antibiotics

Other medications may interact with doxycycline, so speak to your doctor before taking if you also use:

• rifampicin (tuberculosis treatment)
• blood thinners
• strong sleeping tablets
• drugs to control epilepsy
• ciclosporin (treatment for organ transplant patients)
• methoxyflurane (an anaesthetic)
• methotrexate
• antacids
• retinoids (skin condition treatment)

Malaria is a disease often found in foreign countries where mosquitoes are present. It is caused by a mosquito bite. The bite passes a parasite into the bloodstream, which causes malaria. The main symptoms of malaria are:

• headaches
• vomiting and diarrhoea
• fever
• muscle pains

Most people don’t get symptoms straight after being infected. Symptoms may take 7 to 18 days to appear, and in rarer cases can take up to a year to appear. Malaria is mainly caused by a mosquito bite but in very rare cases it can also be spread through sharing needles and blood transfusions. Malaria tablets are the main treatment and prevention strategy, as well as avoiding bites.

You can avoid bites by following these simple steps:

1. Use insect repellent and apply often
2. Sleep indoors where possible, away from insects
3. Use a mosquito net if you are going to stay outdoors
4. Wear clothes that cover your arms and legs, so you are less likely to get bitten

If you believe you’ve been bitten and develop any symptoms of malaria, seek medical advice right away, even if you’re taking malaria tablets.

Malaria isn’t found in the UK but is very common in other parts of the world. As mosquitos live in tropical regions, malaria risk is higher in these areas, which include:

• some Pacific Islands
• some parts of the Middle East
• large areas of Asia and Africa
• Central and South America
• Haiti and the Dominican Republic

If you aren’t sure, you can check malaria risk in a specific country by visiting Travel Health Pro.