Taking anti malaria drugs

There are several regularly prescribed anti malaria drugs currently on the market. When you visit an area where malaria is known to be a risk, even if slight, you would usually be advised by your GP/MD to take a course of anti malaria drugs before you go. You may also find that it may be necessary to continue taking the drug for several weeks after your return.

It is important that you continue with, and complete the course of medication you are on, because malarial infection may not become evident until the micro-organisms that cause it become numerous enough in the blood supply of the victim. Unless these 'bugs' are killed off it is possible (if you have been bitten by a carrier mosquito) that they could still multiply in your system after you return.

Typically drug treatments will continue for at least another 30 days after your get back home to ensure their efficacy. However, if you should develop 'flu-like' symtoms or start to feel generally unwell any time up to a year after returning home you would be well advised at least to check things out with your GP/MD!

But when you are feeling perfectly well...then it is tempting to stop taking powerful chemicals/antibiotics before the end of the course of treatment. As with all antibiotics, though, it is vital that you finish the course once it has been started or else it is as good as taking nothing, and also contributes to the chances that bugs develop 'immunity' to the treatment (as has happened in other areas due to the abuse and over use of antibiotic solutions)!

The problem with anti malaria drugs is that some are prone to causing a range of unpleasant side effects. The drug most widely recommended for travellers to Caribbean areas where there is a malaria risk is chloroquine (which is available under various brand names such as Aralen™). Many people find they have no problem taking this drug at all, but others may suffer from variety of side effects, typically: "nausea and vomiting, headache, dizziness, blurred vision and itching". Chloroquine can also exacerbate psoriatic problems.

People who suffer these reactions, or any other 'contra-indications' or 'allergic' reactions may find they need to be prescribed a different drug. If you pay for the drugs you take, you might find that alternatives are considerably more expensive. But it is really not a good idea to travel to any place where there is still a malaria problem without ensuring that you are protected against the disease.

The general medical advice about the regime for taking chloroquine is as follows:

You should obtain enough of the anti malaria drug to complete the course, before you travel to your destination. You are advised not to purchase anti malaria drugs whilst abroad as there have been many instances where the quality and efficacy of the drugs to be found in developing countries is of variable quality. Sometimes medications have even been shown to be counterfeit or contaminated. So the best advice is to obtain adequate supplies from a trustworthy source before you depart.

Should it be absolutely necessary to obtain anti malaria drugs whilst abroad, perhaps because of strong indications of likely infection, the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that the widely available drug Halofantrine (sold as Halfan) is NOT used. They say you should:

"...NOT use halofantrine because of serious heart-related side effects, including deaths."

The CDC goes on to advise:

"You should avoid using antimalarial drugs that are not recommended unless you have been diagnosed with life-threatening malaria and no other options are immediately available."
- (Source: The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, February 4th 2005)

We also include additional advice about malaria and how to avoid it HERE.

So, whether you are traveling to the Domininican Republic, where exposure to malaria is classed as very low, or even no-risk in most areas - or perhaps you are visiting other countries, such as the African continent, where malaria is a significant problem, and massive killer, please be sure to get all the facts you need for a safe and healthy trip!

Important disclaimer: This information page was updated by Al Smith, for Ruth and Esther at www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com in early 2009. Whilst information is drawn from reputable sources this information is not meant to be exhaustive or complete. Please be sure to do your own further investigation if you have any qualms about the anti malaria drugs mentioned.

PLEASE refer to your own medical advisor, General Practitioner or Medical Doctor, for the latest travel advice relating to malaria and the region to which you are traveling well before you travel. Remember that medications often require to be taken for a period BEFORE you depart.

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