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Safe and Simple Malaria Protection
Three simple steps to get your treatment
Malaria is a serious illness spread by mosquito bites in certain countries. The right prevention tablets can greatly reduce your risk when travelling to high-risk areas.
Our service makes protecting yourself simple. Our clinicians will recommend the tablets that best match your destination and medical needs.
It’s an easy, reliable way to stay protected while travelling.
Safe, effective medications reviewed by our pharmacists
Whether you need malaria prevention tablets depends on where you are travelling, how long you are staying, the time of year, your accommodation, and the activities you plan to undertake.
Malaria risk can vary significantly within the same country. Our travel health clinicians will assess your itinerary and advise whether malaria tablets are recommended for your destination.
Many popular travel destinations have areas where malaria prevention is recommended, including parts of:
Kenya
Tanzania
Uganda
Ghana
Nigeria
India
Pakistan
Indonesia
Papua New Guinea
Some regions of South America
Our travel health team will review the latest malaria risk information and provide personalised advice based on your itinerary.
The most commonly prescribed malaria prevention tablets include:
Atovaquone/Proguanil (Malarone®)
Usually started 1-2 days before travel.
Taken daily during travel.
Continued for 7 days after leaving the malaria-risk area.
Often preferred for shorter trips.
Doxycycline
Usually started 1-2 days before travel.
Taken daily during travel.
Continued for 4 weeks after leaving the malaria-risk area.
May increase sensitivity to sunlight.
Mefloquine (Lariam®)
Usually started 2-3 weeks before travel.
Taken weekly.
Continued for 4 weeks after travel.
Not suitable for everyone due to potential side effects.
Our clinician will recommend the most appropriate malaria tablets based on your destination, medical history, and travel plans.
There is no single “best” malaria tablet for every traveller. The most suitable option depends on:
Your destination.
Length of travel.
Medical history.
Current medications.
Pregnancy status.
Personal preference.
Our travel health clinicians will recommend the most appropriate malaria prevention medication for your individual circumstances.
No. While antimalarial tablets substantially reduce the risk of infection, they do not provide complete protection.
Travellers should also:
Use insect repellent containing DEET.
Wear long sleeves and trousers in the evenings.
Sleep under mosquito nets where appropriate.
Stay in accommodation with screened windows or air conditioning.
Combining antimalarial medication with bite prevention provides the best protection against malaria.
Missing doses can reduce your protection against malaria. If you forget to take a tablet, follow the instructions provided with your medication and seek advice if you are unsure.
Our clinicians will explain what to do if a dose is missed and provide written guidance where appropriate.
Side effects vary depending on the medication prescribed.
Possible side effects may include:
Nausea.
Stomach upset.
Headache.
Dizziness.
Vivid dreams.
Sun sensitivity (particularly with doxycycline).
Most travellers tolerate malaria tablets well and experience either mild or no side effects.
Moderate alcohol consumption is unlikely to affect most malaria prevention medications. However, excessive alcohol intake may increase the likelihood of side effects and can impair your ability to remember daily doses.
Yes. Children travelling to malaria-risk areas may also require malaria prevention medication.
The type of medication and dosage depends on the child’s age, weight, and destination. Our clinicians can advise on the most appropriate options for your child.
If you develop a fever, flu-like symptoms, or feel generally unwell after visiting a malaria-risk area, seek urgent medical attention immediately, even if you took malaria tablets correctly.
Malaria can develop weeks or sometimes months after travel and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.
A guide to malaria risk around the world, why some destinations carry a higher risk than others, and why personalised travel health advice is important before you travel. Contents What
A guide to malaria prevention, why different travellers may need different approaches, and how healthcare professionals determine the most appropriate protection for your journey. Contents Why malaria prevention isn’t one-size-fits-all
A guide to the symptoms of malaria, when they can appear, why early diagnosis matters, and what travellers should do if they become unwell during or after their trip. Contents
A guide to reducing your risk of mosquito bites while travelling, why antimalarial tablets are only part of malaria prevention, and practical steps you can take to stay protected abroad.
