Malarone Paediatric 62.5mg/25mg tablets

Description

What is Malarone Paediatric 62.5mg/25mg tablets?

 

 

Malarone Paediatric Tablets are an antimalarial medication used to help prevent malaria in children travelling to areas where malaria is present.

Each tablet contains atovaquone 62.5mg and proguanil hydrochloride 25mg. These active ingredients work together to prevent malaria parasites from developing within the body following an infected mosquito bite.

Malarone Paediatric is supplied following a travel health assessment to ensure it is appropriate for your child’s destination, travel itinerary, age, weight and medical history.

 

 

Available pack sizes

16, 23, 30, 37, 65 and 93 tablets.

 

 

How Does Malarone Paediatric Work?

Malarone Paediatric helps prevent malaria infection by stopping malaria parasites from multiplying within the body after a mosquito bite.

When an infected mosquito bites, malaria parasites enter the bloodstream and travel to the liver, where they begin to develop before moving back into the blood. The combination of atovaquone and proguanil acts during these early stages of the parasite’s life cycle. Atovaquone disrupts the parasite’s energy production, while proguanil enhances this effect and also interferes with the parasite’s ability to reproduce. This dual action makes it much harder for the parasite to survive and spread within the body.

When taken correctly, it significantly reduces the risk of developing malaria while travelling in malaria-risk regions.

No antimalarial medication provides complete protection, so mosquito bite prevention measures should always be followed alongside treatment.

 

 

Who Can Use Malarone Paediatric?

 

 

Malarone Paediatric may be suitable for:

• Children travelling to malaria-risk destinations
• Families requiring effective malaria prevention
• Children weighing between 11kg and 40kg (weight-based dosing applies)
• Travellers visiting regions where Malarone is recommended by travel health guidelines

 

 

Who May Not Be Suitable?

 

 

This treatment may not be suitable if your child:

• Is allergic to atovaquone, proguanil or any of the ingredients
• Has severe kidney problems
• Is taking medicines that may interact with treatment
• Does not meet the recommended weight requirements

Our prescribing clinicians will assess suitability before treatment is supplied.

 

 

How to Take Malarone Paediatric

 

 

Typical Dosing Schedule

• Start treatment 1–2 days before entering a malaria-risk area
• Continue taking tablets every day during travel
• Continue treatment for 7 days after leaving the malaria-risk area
• Tablets should be taken at the same time each day
• Take with food or a milky drink whenever possible to improve absorption

The number of tablets required each day depends on your child’s weight. Our travel health team will calculate the correct dosage during your consultation.

 

 

Benefits of Malarone Paediatric

• Effective malaria prevention for children
• Short pre-travel start period of just 1–2 days
• Only 7 days of treatment required after travel
• Once-daily dosing
• Suitable for many popular malaria-risk destinations
• Available following an online travel health consultation
• Weight-based dosing for accurate treatment

 

 

Malaria Prevention Advice

Antimalarial medication should always be combined with mosquito bite avoidance measures, including:

• Using insect repellent containing DEET or other recommended ingredients
• Sleeping under mosquito nets where appropriate
• Wearing long-sleeved clothing during evenings and at night
• Staying in air-conditioned or screened accommodation where possible

Combining medication with bite prevention provides the best protection against malaria.

 

 

Possible Side Effects

Like all medicines, Malarone Paediatric can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them.

 

 

Common side effects may include:

• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Headache
• Reduced appetite

Most side effects are mild and temporary.

Always read the Patient Information Leaflet before taking treatment.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

Do children need malaria tablets for every destination?

No. Malaria risk varies depending on the country, region and type of travel. Our travel health team will assess your itinerary and advise whether malaria prevention is recommended.

 

 

When should my child start taking Malarone Paediatric?

Treatment should usually begin 1–2 days before entering a malaria-risk area.

 

 

How long should treatment continue after travel?

Malarone Paediatric should be continued for 7 days after leaving the malaria-risk area.

 

 

Can my child stop taking the tablets once we return home?

No. It is important to complete the full course, including the 7 days after travel, to ensure maximum protection.

 

 

What happens if a dose is missed?

Take the missed dose as soon as possible unless it is nearly time for the next dose. Do not give a double dose. If vomiting occurs within one hour of taking a dose, another dose may be needed.

 

 

Is Malarone Paediatric suitable for long trips?

Yes. Malarone Paediatric can be used for longer periods when clinically appropriate. Our prescribers will advise based on your travel plans.

 

 

Our Travel Health Service

Before treatment is supplied, you will complete a travel health consultation.

 

 

During your assessment we may ask about:

• Countries being visited
• Areas within those countries
• Length of travel
• Child’s age and weight
• Previous medical history
• Current medications
• Previous reactions to antimalarial medication

A qualified prescribing clinician will review the information provided and determine the most appropriate malaria prevention option.

Once approved, you can choose between convenient home delivery or in-store collection

 

 

Important Information

No antimalarial medication provides complete protection against malaria.

You should always follow mosquito bite prevention measures and seek urgent medical attention if your child develops fever or flu-like symptoms during travel or after returning from a malaria-risk area.

Always read the Patient Information Leaflet before starting treatment.