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-   -   Doxycycline instead of Malarone for Malaria?? (https://www.fodors.com/community/africa-and-the-middle-east/doxycycline-instead-of-malarone-for-malaria-448290/)

jill1125 Oct 26th, 2008 08:12 AM

Doxycycline instead of Malarone for Malaria??
 
I was given a prescription of Doxycycline since I'll be visiting a malaria area in Sabi Sabi. Others I know seem to take Malarone. Has anyone else been prescribed Doxycycline as an anti Malaria drug?

ShayTay Oct 26th, 2008 08:38 AM

One of my friends has used the antibiotic Doxycycline as a malarial prophylactic. The main thing you need to be aware of is that it makes you sun-sensitive,so use lots of sunscreen and cover up.

Jed Oct 26th, 2008 08:42 AM

We took Malarone without problem.

CDC lists the options:

http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentMa...ugsPublic.aspx

Sorry I can't help further. ((*))

impacked Oct 26th, 2008 09:17 AM

I took Doxy while traveling in the wilds of Ethiopia. 6 months after my return I was veryyyy ill -

Leely2 Oct 26th, 2008 09:35 AM

I used it on our first trip to Tanzania. No problems other than a little sunburn and fingernail sensitivity (told by my doctor "a very unusual but not unheard of" reaction). Second trip I took Malarone--different doctor, different scrip although same hospital.

Grcxx3 Oct 26th, 2008 09:41 AM

On our trip to Tanzania we took doxycycline, but when my older son went back last year he took Malarone.

No problems with either one.

skibumette Oct 26th, 2008 09:58 AM

I'm one of the few people who get canker sores from Malarone -- not earth shaking side effect but not something I wanted to put up with for 3 weeks. Took Doxy instead -- it's considered equally effective (NO antimalarial is 100% effective). I'm blonde but had no sun sensitivity; just be careful until you know if you do. Main difference: much less expensive but you do have to take it for 4 weeks after leaving malaria area (not just one week as with Malarone)

cary999 Oct 26th, 2008 11:16 AM

I've taken Doxy on two safaris with no problems.

regards - tom

impacked Oct 26th, 2008 11:18 AM

part 2 from my previous posting...sorry I was cut short and had to log off.

I was in bed for 1 month after my trip from Ethiopia with malaria.

As posted before nothing is 100% effective.

sallysaab Oct 26th, 2008 12:45 PM

I've taken Doxy several times with no reaction, but we are all different.
We took them at night, and had the most amazing technicolour dreams. Oh, and my Mum talked in her sleep nearly all night.

Pula Oct 26th, 2008 12:54 PM

Years ago, I was prescribed Doxy supposedly because I have high blood pressure, although I've certainly met others with high BP who were prescribed Malarone -- I don't quite understand the difference. My travel doctor continues to give me script for Doxy since I tolerate it well -- better the devil you know, I guess. I seem to tolerate drugs well (!) and the sun thing doesn't bother me. I surely will admit that it's a pain to have to continue taking it for 4 weeks.

sandi Oct 26th, 2008 01:38 PM

For women specifically, as Doxy is an antibiotic, you might get "thrush" which is a discharge... ugh, not something I'd want while on holiday. Then there's possibility of sun sensitivity, so besides repellent for warding off mossies, you should apply SPF during daytime hours. And, finally, Doxy has to be taken longer (28/days) upon returning from the infected area.

As long as you are aware that any of the meds might have pros/cons... go with what you feel most comfortable.

I've used Lariam in the past with few side-effect till Malarone became available and haven't had any side-effects with this med.


divine54 Oct 26th, 2008 02:05 PM

i took it once and never again because my skin became extremly sensitive to sun exposure.
as i was told later doxy is good but not for blonde, blue-eyed pale skinned people.
so i went back to malarone.

div

ShayTay Oct 26th, 2008 02:56 PM

You can also have side effects from Malarone. My sister and another one of our group traveling to Tanzania last year had problems with nausea, which was attributed to Malarone. I've used Larium on nine safaris without any problem, but everyone is different. Malarone is supposed to have fewer side effects than Larium.

cary999 Oct 26th, 2008 03:11 PM

jill1125 - do you have time to try Doxy for say a week or 10 days now, before you go? I know you'd have to get more to replace those but at least you'd know if you're likely to have problems.

regards - tom

Treepol Oct 26th, 2008 03:21 PM

Doxy offers reasonable protection against malaria and is certainly an improvement (for me) on Larium. I've taken it for 6 overseas trips to India and Africa and only twice experienced slight sun sensitivity. Once I was dreadfully sick when I took it too soon before breakfast.

It works best for me if I take it halfway through breakfast.

My doctor recommends taking Doxy for 2 weeks after leaving a malarial area - may be I should get this checked :-/.

Cheers,


Pol


KayeN Oct 26th, 2008 05:00 PM

Hi jill1125

I have taken Doxycycline for all trips to Southern/Eastern Africa with no problems whatsoever. I think I have been given them due to other medication I am taking. I always take mine at breakfast.

Pol

I would check, as it used to be 2 days before and 2 weeks after, now it has been for quite a while, 2 days before and 4 weeks after. A bit annoying, but not nearly as annoying as getting malaria!

I would say if you have been given this prescription by a specialist travel doctor, there would be a reason for it, so ask.

Kind regards

Kaye

Percy Oct 26th, 2008 06:39 PM

I do not know why you are taking Doxycycline as it is certainly not the best medication for malaria.

1. Lariam used to be the best drug for Malaria.. but its side effects like causing seizures, depression, panic attacks and cardiac depression led to its own gradual donwfall.

It is still an okay drug if you are healthy with none of the listed medical problems.

2.Chloroquin:

This is really a non-specific drug and it is also used ( or used to be used) for Arthritis and Lupus.

It's major drawback was it's blurred vision and you really needed an eye exam after using it.

It is only used for travel to Central America now, because malaria in all the other parts of the world is resistant to Chloroquin.

3. Doxycycline:

This drug is an antibiotic and its only use is for areas where the malaria parasite is resistant to both Lariam and Chloroquin!!

Do you know where these areas are ??.. because I do not !

This would be my last choice of an anti-malaria drug !

4.Malarone:

This is the newest drug for malaria.
It is actually a two drug combination.
If you are taking short trips ( 10 days) ..then this is the better drug of the lot.

5. About DEET:

There is NO better insect repellant than DEET.
But don't get fooled about getting DEET with very high concentrations.

Let me tell you this.

The higher concentration last longer BUT...it plateaus at 30-35 % concentration.
Therfore ANY concentration of DEET higher than 35% has NO added benefit.

30% DEET is just as effective at 90% DEET...so save your money.!

And remember 30% DEET lasts only for 6 hours maximum....this is not a "spray in the morning ,good for the whole day " type of topical medication!

Now ask your doctor which is best for you.

Percy



GeoffG Oct 26th, 2008 07:52 PM

I have used Doxycycline as a malaria prophylactic for over 20 years travel in Southern Africa (including the Sabi Sands).

It is an excellent and cheaper alternative to malarone. Contrary to what a few others have stated here.

As a side benefit being an antibiotic it will work against a number of bacterial infections that you may encounter on your trip.

I believe it is also used in the treatment of Anthrax.

As already stated one disadvantage is that some individuals develop a sun sensitivity whilst using Doxy'.

Geoff.

GeoffG Oct 26th, 2008 07:57 PM

..also

Percy,

Try using DEET with tsetse flies. I even tried Bushman (80% DEET) it made no difference to them.

Luckily jill1125 will not have to contend with tsetse flies in the Sabi Sands.

Geoff.


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