Can i buy malaria tablets over the counter

However, some other restrictions apply in certain circumstances. Maloff protect is not safe to take if you are allergic to any of the ingredients, or if you have liver or kidney disease.

It is also usually unsuitable for:. If you fall into one of the four categories above, you may still be able to take maloff protect or a similar medicine but it is not recommended that you obtain it over the counter. You should make an appointment with a doctor to discuss your options; in most cases, an alternative treatment will be recommended. Maloff protect can interact negatively with certain medications.

For a list of medicines which prohibit the use of Maloff Protect, click here. The second type of antimalarial course that you can obtain without a prescription in the UK contains chloroquine and proguanil. While atovaquone and proguanil the active ingredients of maloff give good protection against the most common and dangerous forms of malaria, the combination of chloroquine and proguanil tends to be much less effective.

However, before you buy them you should check with your doctor or pharmacist that they will provide the required level of protection for the area you are travelling to. Bear in mind that these tablets are not safe for anyone allergic to any of the ingredients. They may also be unsuitable for people on certain medications, or anyone who has:. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding you should discuss your options with your doctor during your travel consultation.

You should get advice from your doctor about giving antimalarials to your child before you leave the country.

Though buying antimalarials over the counter is quicker and more convenient, it is generally safer to obtain them with a prescription. This is because you are required to visit a doctor or nurse to discuss your travel plans with them in detail. Antimalarials are available as tablets and capsules and they can be bought over the counter in your local pharmacy, or prescribed by your GP or a service like our Online Doctor.

Read on to find out about the different options available to you that can help prevent and treat malaria. Every malaria tablet has a specified dosage and frequency that you can find on the packaging or in the patient information leaflet. Typically, you should take one tablet every day, however this can change depending on the type of medication you are taking. See the table below to find out how often you should take the most common types of antimalarial medication:.

Join Now! Don't wait! Join today and make your adventures even more enjoyable. My friend who is South African said you can get malaria pills over the counter there in South Africa and there are less side effects than the ones is the USA. Is that true? Which one did you take if you got it here in US? Aliphillips13 Alison Phillips. Lauralee Laura. Falc JT. Stuart Stuart Morgan Hurlbut.

Britrock1 Tom Traveler. Gee Gee Jennet Miles. Africa Travel Forum. 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.

Drug Reasons that might make you consider using this drug Reasons that might make you avoid using this drug Doxycycline Adults: mg daily. Some people prefer to take a daily medicine Good for last-minute travelers because the drug is started days before traveling to an area where malaria transmission occurs Tends to be the least expensive antimalarial Some people are already taking doxycycline chronically for prevention of acne. In those instances, they do not have to take an additional medicine Doxycycline also can prevent some additional infections e.

Drug Reasons that might make you consider using this drug Reasons that might make you avoid using this drug Mefloquine Adults: mg base mg salt , weekly. Some people would rather take medicine weekly Good choice for long trips because it is taken only weekly Can be used during pregnancy Cannot be used in areas with mefloquine resistance Cannot be used in patients with certain psychiatric conditions Cannot be used in patients with a seizure disorder Not recommended for persons with cardiac conduction abnormalities Not a good choice for last-minute travelers because drug needs to be started at least 2 weeks prior to travel 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.

Drug Reasons that might make you consider using this drug Reasons that might make you avoid using this drug Primaquine Adults: 30 mg base, daily Children: 0. Once a normal G6PD level is verified and documented, the test does not have to be repeated the next time primaquine is considered Cannot be used by pregnant women Cannot be used by women who are breastfeeding unless the infant has also been tested for G6PD deficiency Some people including children would rather not take a medicine every day Some people are concerned about the potential of getting an upset stomach from primaquine.

Drug Reasons that might make you consider using this drug Reasons that might make you avoid using this drug Tafenoquine Arakoda TM Adults only: mg per dose. Begin daily for 3 days prior to travel, weekly during travel, and for 1 week after leaving. One of the most effective drugs for prevention of P.

Once a normal G6PD level is verified and documented, the test does not have to be repeated the next time tafenoquine is considered Cannot be used by children Cannot be used by pregnant women Cannot be used by women who are breastfeeding Not recommended in those with psychotic disorders. To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: Email Address. Malaria Notices. Malaria Hotline.