Planning a trip to a country where malaria is present means taking the right steps to protect your health. Malaria is a serious illness transmitted by mosquito bites in many tropical and subtropical regions, and ensuring you have the right medication is essential. At Eltham Pharmacy, our private travel clinic in London provides expert advice on choosing, taking and managing malaria tablets UK travellers can rely on for safe and effective protection.

To help you prepare for your journey, we have answered the most common questions our pharmacists receive about malaria tablets, their effectiveness and the destinations where they are required.

1. Do I need malaria tablets for my trip?

Whether you need malaria tablets depends on where you are travelling. Malaria is found in parts of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, the Middle East and some Pacific islands. Each country, and sometimes individual regions within a country, may have different risk levels.

At Eltham Pharmacy, we review your full travel itinerary and use the latest guidance to advise whether malaria prevention is recommended for your destination. Our team ensures you have the most suitable and effective protection for where you are travelling.

2. What types of malaria tablets are available in the UK?

There are several effective malaria prevention options available in the UK, and the right choice depends on your destination, health profile and travel plans. The most commonly prescribed include:

Atovaquone/Proguanil (Malarone): Often recommended for short trips and destinations where resistance is low.

Doxycycline: A cost-effective option suitable for many regions but must be taken daily.

Mefloquine (Lariam): Suitable for longer trips but less commonly used due to possible side effects.

At our private travel clinic in London, we discuss the pros and cons of each medication, considering your personal health and any pre-existing conditions, to help you make the right decision.

3. When should I start taking malaria tablets?

The timing depends on the type of medication prescribed:

Malarone: Start 1 to 2 days before entering a malaria area.

Doxycycline: Start 1 to 2 days before travel.

Lariam: Start 2 to 3 weeks before entering a malaria area.

It is important to begin taking your tablets on schedule so that the medication is active in your system when you arrive. At Eltham Pharmacy, we advise booking your appointment well before your departure date to ensure you start your course on time.

4. How long do I need to take them after returning?

The continuation period also depends on the medication:

Malarone: Continue for 7 days after leaving the malaria area.

Doxycycline: Continue for 4 weeks after leaving.

Lariam: Continue for 4 weeks after leaving.

Even if you are back in the UK and feel well, finishing your full course is vital to ensure maximum protection against malaria.

5. Are there side effects I should know about?

Like any medication, malaria tablets UK travellers take can cause side effects, although most are mild and manageable. Possible effects include nausea, headaches or digestive discomfort, but these vary depending on the specific medication.

Our pharmacists will discuss potential side effects during your consultation and advise on how to manage them. We always ensure the recommended tablets are safe for your individual health circumstances and suitable for the countries you are visiting.

6. Are malaria tablets 100% effective?

No malaria prevention is 100% effective, but taking the right medication significantly reduces your risk. Combining tablets with additional protective measures is essential, including:

• –> Using mosquito repellents

• –> Wearing long-sleeved clothing

• –> Sleeping under treated mosquito nets

• –> Avoiding outdoor exposure during peak biting times

At Eltham Pharmacy, we provide practical travel health advice alongside your prescription to maximise your protection while abroad.

7. Which destinations require malaria tablets?

Malaria is common in many regions, particularly:

• –> Sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and Tanzania

• –> South and Southeast Asia, including India, Thailand and Vietnam

• –> South America, including Brazil, Peru and Colombia

• –> Parts of Central America and the Caribbean

Risk levels can change over time, so we always recommend checking the latest travel health guidance. Our team uses up-to-date information to advise which tablets are most effective for your chosen destinations.

8. Can I buy malaria tablets online without a consultation?

While malaria tablets are available from some online providers, it is safer to get them from a regulated pharmacy with professional guidance. Self-prescribing without advice can lead to taking medication unsuitable for your health, travelling destination or other prescriptions you may already be using.

At Eltham Pharmacy, we provide safe, pharmacist-led consultations where we review your health, travel plans and any other medicines you are taking before recommending the most appropriate malaria prevention strategy.

9. Can children take malaria tablets?

Yes, malaria tablets are available for children, but the choice of medication and dosage depends on the child’s age, weight and the travel destination. Some options, such as Malarone, have paediatric doses, while others are not suitable for young children.

Our pharmacists will help parents choose the safest and most effective option to protect the whole family while travelling.

10. Why choose Eltham Pharmacy for malaria prevention?

As a private travel clinic in London, Eltham Pharmacy offers personalised, professional care to ensure you receive the right advice and medication. We provide:

• –> Tailored recommendations based on your travel destination and health needs

• –> A choice of effective antimalarial options

• –> Up-to-date travel health advice

• –> A convenient service with fast access to medication

By booking your malaria consultation early, we help you prepare properly for your trip, ensuring you leave fully protected and confident in your prevention plan. Reach out to our dedicated team today.

Book Your Malaria Consultation Today

If you are planning to travel to an area where malaria is a risk, Eltham Pharmacy can help you choose the most effective protection. Our expert pharmacists provide detailed advice, prescribe the most suitable malaria tablets UK travellers trust, and give you the tools to stay safe while abroad.

Book your appointment today at our private travel clinic in London and travel with confidence, knowing you are fully protected against malaria.

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