Malaria Prophylaxis

Question 1

What should be looked at before prescribing anti-malarials?

Answer 1

Up-to-date charts with recommended regimes for malarial zones

Question 2

What are the S/E of Atovaquone + proguanil (Malarone), the time to begin before traveling and the time to end after travel?

Answer 2

Malarone (Atovaquone + proguanil)

S/E: GI Upset

Time to begin before traveling: 1-2 days

Time to end after traveling: 7 days

Question 3

What are the S/E of Chloroquine, the time to begin before traveling and the time to end after travel?

Answer 3

Chloroquine

S/E: Headaches. Contraindicated in Epilepsy.

Time to begin before traveling: 1 Week

Time to end after traveling: 4 weeks.

Question 4

How often do you take chloroquine?

Answer 4

Taken once weekly

Question 5

What are the S/E of doxycycline, the time to begin before traveling and the time to end after travel?

Answer 5

Doxycycline

S/E: Photosensitivity, Oesophagitis

Time to begin before traveling: 1-2 Days

Time to end after traveling: 4 weeks.

Question 6

What are the S/E of Mefloquine, the time to begin before traveling and the time to end after travel?

Answer 6

Mefloquine

S/E: Dizziness, Neuropsychiatric disturbance, Contraindicated in epilepsy

Time to begin before traveling: 2-3 Week

Time to end after traveling: 4 weeks.

Question 7

What is the advise for pregnant women who are traveling to areas with malaria?

Answer 7

• Advise to not travel.
• Chloroquine can be taken
• Proguanil: folate supplementation (5mg od) should be given
• Malarone (atovaquone + proguanil): the BNF advises to avoid these drugs unless essential. If taken then folate supplementation should be given
• Mefloquine: caution advised
• Doxycycline is contraindicated

Question 8

If children are traveling to areas with malaria, what advise should be given?

Answer 8

• Diethyltoluamide (DEET) 20-50% can be used in children over 2 months of age.
• Doxycycline is only licensed in the UK for children over the age of 12 years.