Reasons that might make you consider using this drug Good for last-minute travelers because the drug is started 1-2 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
Reasons that might make you avoid using this drug
• 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
Doxycycline
• Some people prefer to take a daily medicine
• Good for last-minute travelers because the drug is started 1-2 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.g., Rickettsiae and leptospirosis) and so it may be preferred by people planning to do lots of hiking, camping, and wading and swimming in fresh water •
Reasons that might make you avoid using this drug
Cannot be used by pregnant women and children <8 years old
• Some people would rather not take a medicine every day
• For trips of short duration, some people would rather not take medication for 4 weeks after travel
• Women prone to getting vaginal yeast infections when taking antibiotics may prefer taking a different medicine
• Some people are concerned about the potential of getting an upset stomach from doxycycline
Mefloquine (Lariam)
• Some people would rather take medicine weekly
• Good choice for long trips because it is taken only weekly
• Can be used in second and third trimester of pregnancy and in first trimester if there is no other option (i.e., postpone travel)
Reasons that might make you avoid using this drug
• 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
Remember: - No prophylaxis is 100% effective but not taking anti-malarials where they are indicated will put you at greater risk should you get the disease.
Remember - Malaria is a killer!
NO BITE NO MALARIA
