Thought I'd throw in the online price in Oz of doxycycline as well. It's used for malaria prevention and bacterial infections (a friend of mine always uses it for Africa): pack of 28 tabs (14-28 days' supply), about $11 AUD.

John

John,

Thanks for the info. What a price difference but it is worth it because staying healthy is important. Does anyone had experience with Malarone and doxycycline (taken on different trips I would presume) and either be OK for Botswana and Zimbabwe? Doxycycline is so much cheaper but if Malarone is better I will go for Malarone.

Georgie,

I'm pretty sure opinion on this board will be in favour of Malarone. There's no doubt it's good, though expensive (but that's a no-brainer when it comes to protecting one's health). However, all of the anti-malarials (like all drugs) have side effects, depending on the individual...so why don't you consult a specialist travel medicine clinic and ask them what they would recommend? That's what I did for my first couple of safaris, but after that, I felt confident enough to rely just on my GP. The clinic was fairly expensive, but I thought, What the hell, I'm going on trips of a lifetime which are costing me a fortune and I don't want to catch any dreaded lurgy that's going around. Such a trip can be spoiled so easily, so why fret about not being able to find supermarket bargains?...a couple of days of my first safari were spoiled somewhat because I had what I thought was a heavy cold...then I discovered I was allergic to the aloe vera content of the sunscreen I was using on my lips! I stopped using it, and all was well after that. If I had tried it out before leaving home, I would have avoided two days of misery. No amount of pre-departure Fodors advice would have helped

I have no experience of doxycycline, other than what I have read on the web and what my friend has told me. He's been going to Africa (mostly Bots, Zim and Zam) far longer than me, and it suits him fine.

John

Georgie,

Try this: http://www.tmvc.com.au/about_locations.asp?ClinicID=40

John

John,

Sound advice. Had thought about seeing a travel doctor but I definitely will now as we still have plenty of time. Once the doctor and I have decided on the best one for me I think I will try some before I go to make sure I don't have any unwanted side effects.

Aloe Vera and I also don't get along so no chance of me using the same sunscreen. The moral of the story is don't try anything new in regards to cosmetics, sunscreens etc whilst on safari. I will take the tried and tested.

Thanks again.

Georgie

John,

Just saw your link and you must have ESP. I was just searching for it and found the Canberra equivalent.

Cheers,

Georgie

It is my understanding that doxycycline is not as effective an anti-malarial as malarone and has a higher incidence rate of side effects - hypersensitivity to the sun, for one. It's usually prescribed only where the patient has a contraindication to the recommended drug because of an allergy or other medication they are taking.

My dad caught malaria back in 2005 and it was truly nasty - yes he had a bad case of it but I was shocked at how serious it was even once diagnosed and treated in a UK hospital that specialises in tropical diseases. Whilst some travellers get away with milder cases of malaria that do little more than lay them low for a day or two with a slightly raised temperature my dad's case reminded me how serious this illness can be - I knew it was a killer but always assumed that was down to lack of available treatment in developing oountries.

"I was shocked at how serious it was"- Kavey

Yes, it's often not rammed home to you until it happens to somebody you know. A work colleague of mine came down with malaria 40 years ago. That's why I always tell people to get expert advice and not rely on 'understandings' and anecdotal advice on boards like this...even from posters who profess to be doctors.

I'm sure Georgie will get good advice from the TMVC in Australia.

John

Exactly!

Here and in other forums I've seen people post messages such as "I'd rather get malaria than suffer the side effects of Larium" or other such ignorant and foolish thoughts. Believe me, even the more lurid Larium side effects such as poor appetite, strange dreams and nausea are not a patch on a serious case of malaria!

Even though no one in my family had had malaria before I did grow up in a family of doctors and grew up understanding the benefits of taking the appropriate drugs and vaccines for overseas trips. Ironic then that it was my dad who, travelling so often that he'd perhaps have been unable to take antimalarials for all the trips but should have taken them for the more risky areas, wasn't taking anything and caught malaria.

Even when the advice given on a board such as this is good, solid advice I still recommend that people see their own doctor or a specialist travel doctor (if theirs seems not to be up to date) and discuss the best treatment for the destination they are going to - and don't forget to mention any medications being taken for other medical conditions - there are often contraindications that mean an antimalarial that's perfectly safe and best choice for the destination is ruled out for an individual.

I thought drugs were cheaper in Canada!

http://www.cdc.gov/travel/malariadrugs2.htm

I'd disagree with the previous post about doxycyline having more side effects - at least of the serious variety. Personally, I'd use the doxycyline as prophylaxis and malarone as treatment if signs/symptoms occur.

Unless you get "thrush" (for women), that can be considered quite serious, especially when on vacation. Besides, doxy has to be taken for 30-days after you return home. And, then there's the sun sensitivity.

Unless one absolutely cannot take Malarone or Larium, then doxy, but none are without side effects.

Shop around.