Malaria tablets and advice
Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal infection spread by mosquito bites in parts of Africa, Asia and Central and South America. If your trip includes a risk area, Basingstoke Travel Clinic can supply antimalarial tablets after a consultation, from £1.75 a tablet for children and £2.75 for adults. Which tablet is right depends on your destination, your health and your other medicines.
Malaria Tablets
The ABCD of malaria prevention
- Awareness: know whether your destination has malaria, and in which areas and seasons.
- Bite prevention: use a repellent containing 50% DEET, cover up from dusk, and sleep under a treated net or in screened rooms.
- Chemoprophylaxis: take antimalarial tablets exactly as prescribed, including after you get home.
- Diagnosis: a fever up to a year after travel, especially in the first three months, needs an urgent malaria test. Tell the doctor where you have been.
Antimalarial tablets compared
- Atovaquone/proguanil (including Malarone and Maloff Protect): one tablet a day, starting 1–2 days before you enter a malaria area and continuing for 7 days after you leave. Well tolerated and suits short trips.
- Doxycycline: one tablet a day, starting 1–2 days before and continuing for 4 weeks after. Can make skin sensitive to sun and is not for young children or pregnancy.
- Mefloquine (Lariam): one tablet a week, starting 2–3 weeks before and continuing for 4 weeks after. Not suitable for people with a history of depression, anxiety or epilepsy.
How many tablets will I need?
For a daily tablet such as atovaquone/proguanil, count the days in the malaria area plus 1–2 days before and 7 days after. A two-week safari usually means 23 tablets, about £63.25 at £2.75 each. We will work out the exact number for your dates.
Prescription medicines, supplied after assessment
All antimalarials are supplied only after a consultation with our pharmacist, who checks your itinerary, medical history and current medicines. This is general guidance. Your pharmacist will confirm what you need using the latest NaTHNaC country information, your full itinerary and your health. You can also read the country pages on TravelHealthPro.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need malaria tablets?
Only if you are visiting an area where malaria is a risk. It depends on the exact places, the season and how long you stay, which we check at consultation.
Which malaria tablet is best?
There is no single best tablet. Atovaquone/proguanil suits most short trips, but your destination, health, age and other medicines decide which is right for you.
When should I start taking malaria tablets?
It depends on the tablet: 1–2 days before entering the area for atovaquone/proguanil and doxycycline, or 2–3 weeks before for mefloquine.
How much are malaria tablets in Basingstoke?
At Basingstoke Travel Clinic, atovaquone/proguanil is £2.75 a tablet, Malarone £3, paediatric versions £1.75 and Lariam (mefloquine) £4. Maloff Protect packs are £48 for 24 or £65 for 36.
Can children take malaria tablets?
Yes. Paediatric versions are dosed by weight, and children need bite prevention just as much as adults.
What if I get a fever after I come home?
Seek medical help the same day and say you have been to a malaria area. Symptoms can appear up to a year after travel.