Malaria is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease spread by mosquito bites in many tropical and subtropical regions. If you’re travelling to a high-risk area, taking anti-malaria medication is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself. However, to ensure the medication works as intended, it’s important to follow the correct schedule, dosage, and precautions.

At Eltham Pharmacy, we provide expert travel health advice and supply anti-malaria tablets suited to your destination and personal needs. In this guide, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step approach to taking anti-malarial medication correctly, avoiding common mistakes, and staying safe while travelling.

Step 1: Check if You Need Anti-Malaria Tablets

Before you travel, check whether your destination carries a malaria risk. Some high-risk areas include:

Sub-Saharan Africa – Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania

South and Southeast Asia – India, Thailand, Cambodia

South America – Brazil, Peru, Colombia

Parts of the Caribbean and the Pacific – Haiti, Papua New Guinea

Malaria is not present everywhere, even within countries that have some risk, so it’s essential to check official guidance, such as NHS Fit for Travel or the World Health Organization (WHO), to determine if you need anti-malaria tablets.

At Eltham Pharmacy, we offer travel consultations where we assess your risk and recommend the most suitable medication based on your itinerary.

Step 2: Choose the Right Anti-Malaria Tablets

There are several types of anti-malaria medication, each with different dosages, side effects, and schedules. The most commonly prescribed options include:

Malarone (Atovaquone/Proguanil) – Taken daily, starting 1-2 days before travel and continuing for 7 days after leaving the malaria area. Well-tolerated with minimal side effects.

Doxycycline – Taken daily, starting 1-2 days before travel and continuing for 4 weeks after leaving. Can cause sun sensitivity, so extra sun protection is needed.

Lariam (Mefloquine) – Taken once a week, starting 2-3 weeks before travel, continuing during travel, and for 4 weeks after leaving. Can cause psychological side effects in some people.

Your choice of medication will depend on factors such as your destination, length of stay, medical history, and tolerance to side effects. Our team at Eltham Pharmacy can guide you through the best option for your trip.

Step 3: Start Taking Your Tablets Before You Travel

It’s crucial to start taking your anti-malaria tablets before departure to allow the medication to build up in your system and ensure effectiveness. The exact timeframe depends on the type of tablet you are taking:

Malarone and Doxycycline – Start 1-2 days before travel

Lariam – Start 2-3 weeks before travel

Starting early also allows time to check for any side effects. If you experience problems, you can consult our pharmacy team to discuss an alternative before your trip.

Step 4: Take Your Tablets at the Same Time Each Day

To ensure full protection, take your anti-malaria tablets consistently at the same time every day (or once a week for Lariam). It’s best to take them with food or a drink of milk to reduce the risk of stomach upset.

Set a daily reminder on your phone to avoid missing a dose. Missing even one dose can reduce the medication’s effectiveness and put you at risk of contracting malaria.

Step 5: Continue Taking Tablets After Returning Home

Stopping your tablets too soon can leave you vulnerable to malaria, as the parasites may still be in your bloodstream. Different medications have different continuation periods:

Malarone – Take for 7 days after leaving the malaria area

Doxycycline and Lariam – Take for 4 weeks after leaving

Even if you feel well, do not stop early, as malaria can take up to a month to develop after infection.

Step 6: Use Additional Mosquito Protection

While anti-malaria tablets significantly reduce your risk, they are not 100% effective, so mosquito bite prevention is equally important. Use the following measures:

Apply mosquito repellent – Use one containing at least 50% DEET for maximum protection.

Wear long-sleeved clothing – Light-coloured, loose clothing reduces bites.

Sleep under a mosquito net – If staying in high-risk areas, use a treated mosquito net at night.

Stay indoors at peak mosquito times – Mosquitoes carrying malaria are most active between dusk and dawn.

At Eltham Pharmacy, we stock a range of mosquito repellents, nets, and bite-relief treatments to help keep you safe.

Step 7: Be Aware of Malaria Symptoms After Travel

Even if you have taken your anti-malaria tablets correctly, you should remain alert to malaria symptoms for up to a month after returning. These include:

• – Fever and chills
• – Sweating and shivering
• – Muscle aches and headaches
• – Nausea and vomiting
• – Fatigue

If you develop flu-like symptoms after returning from a malaria-risk area, seek urgent medical attention and inform your doctor of your travel history. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent severe complications.

Get the Right Protection Before You Travel

Taking anti-malaria medication correctly is essential for preventing this serious disease, but it’s just one part of a complete malaria protection strategy. Starting your medication on time, continuing it after your trip, and using additional mosquito prevention measures will give you the best protection.

At Eltham Pharmacy, we offer expert travel health consultations, a range of anti-malaria tablets, and mosquito repellents and travel health essentials.

If you’re travelling to a malaria-risk destination, reach out to us for advice and medication tailored to your trip. Book a consultation today and travel with confidence!

This blog was written on behalf of Eltham Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor.