Can i get malaria tablets over the counter

Malarone tablets are prescribed so that they are taken before, during and after one is at risk for a malaria infection based on destinations of travel. This type of prophylaxis is preferred by many people because it requires a shorter duration of use after travel and is tolerated well by most people.

Doxycycline is an antibiotic that is sometimes used in malaria prevention. Doxycycline is a type of antibiotic that is typically taken daily when one is using it to reduce the likelihood of getting malaria and are usually set so that one takes the medicine before, during and after being in an at-risk area for malaria.

Larium contains the active ingredient mefloquine hydrochloride. One advantage of Larium for malaria prophylaxis is that it only has to be taken orally once per week. Larium is also inexpensive relative to other types of malaria pills.

Unfortunately, when Larium is used as an antimalarial medication, it can cause bad dreams and and hallucinations. People traveling at altitude also sometimes take acetazolamide Diamox to help reduce the risk of altitude sickness.

Malaria prevention medications, like all medicines, can cause allergic reactions in some people. Check whether you need to take malaria prevention tablets — if you do, make sure you take the right antimalarial tablets at the right dose, and finish the course. Diagnosis — seek immediate medical advice if you have malaria symptoms , including up to a year after you return from travelling. These are outlined in more detail below. Being aware of the risks To check whether you need to take preventative malaria treatment for the countries you're visiting, see the Fit for Travel website.

Preventing bites It's not possible to avoid mosquito bites completely, but the less you're bitten, the less likely you are to get malaria. To avoid being bitten: Stay somewhere that has effective air conditioning and screening on doors and windows.

If this isn't possible, make sure doors and windows close properly. If you're not sleeping in an air-conditioned room, sleep under an intact mosquito net that's been treated with insecticide.

Use insect repellent on your skin and in sleeping environments. Remember to reapply it frequently. The most effective repellents contain diethyltoluamide DEET and are available in sprays, roll-ons, sticks and creams. Wear light, loose-fitting trousers rather than shorts, and wear shirts with long sleeves. This is particularly important during early evening and at night, when mosquitoes prefer to feed.

Antimalarial tablets There's currently no vaccine available that offers protection against malaria, so it's very important to take antimalarial medication to reduce your chances of getting the disease.

When taking antimalarial medication: make sure you get the right antimalarial tablets before you go — check with your GP or pharmacist if you're unsure follow the instructions included with your tablets carefully depending on the type you're taking, continue to take your tablets for up to 4 weeks after returning from your trip to cover the incubation period of the disease Check with your GP to make sure you're prescribed a medication you can tolerate.

Begin days before travel, daily during travel, and for 7 days after leaving. Begin days before travel, daily during travel, and for 4 weeks after leaving. Adults: mg base mg salt , weekly. Begin weeks before travel, weekly during travel, and for 4 weeks after leaving. Commercial Availability of Artesunate for Injection.

Contact Us. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Considerations when choosing a drug for malaria prophylaxis: Recommendations for drugs to prevent malaria differ by country of travel and can be found in Malaria Information by Country.

Recommended drugs for each country are listed in alphabetical order and have comparable efficacy in that country. For all medicines, also consider the possibility of drug-drug interactions with other medicines that the person might be taking as well as other medical contraindications, such as drug allergies. When several different drugs are recommended for an area, the following table might help in the decision process. Good for last-minute travelers because the drug is started days before traveling to an area where malaria transmission occurs Some people prefer to take a daily medicine Good choice for shorter trips because you only have to take the medicine for 7 days after traveling rather than 4 weeks Very well tolerated medicine — side effects uncommon Pediatric tablets are available and may be more convenient Cannot be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding a child less than 5 kg Cannot be taken by people with severe renal impairment Tends to be more expensive than some of the other options especially for trips of long duration Some people including children would rather not take a medicine every day.

Some people would rather take medicine weekly Good choice for long trips because it is taken only weekly Some people are already taking hydroxychloroquine chronically for rheumatologic conditions. In those instances, they may not have to take an additional medicine Can be used in all trimesters of pregnancy Cannot be used in areas with chloroquine or mefloquine resistance May exacerbate psoriasis Some people would rather not take a weekly medication For trips of short duration, some people would rather not take medication for 4 weeks after travel Not a good choice for last-minute travelers because drug needs to be started weeks prior to travel.