Borneo-malaria question
 

Hello,
We are going to Borneo next year,and have been told that we will need to take malaria tablets,which type has anyone taken???,and have you suffered any bad side effects???
Thanking you
sue

The CDC currently recommends Malarone, as Lariam which was previously prescribed is no longer effective in SEAsia.

Nor does Malarone have the side-effects of Lariam, in fact, Malarone has hardly any side-effects.

You need to start taking the tablets two days prior entering affected area, then daily during your stay and for seven (7) days after leaving the area (or home).

Pills should be taken same time daily, preferably Breakfast, with food - recommend dairy, such as milk, or yogurt.

We had previously taken Lariam for trips to Africa, with minimal side-effects (some interrupted sleep), so was glad when Malarone became available in the States. Neither of us had any reactions to these tabs.

If all else fails, some people take doxycyline - a generic med that's been around forever, though I'm not sure how it compares to meds specially developed for Malaria.

Regardless what you take, to remember to keep covered from dusk to dawn (mosquito biting time), wear long pants and sleeves and use insect repellent with Dheet on exposed skin - but watch areas on the face, as some people react when applied to face.

Happy travels.

Hi Sandi,
Malerone are the tablets we are probably going to take,is it right that you only need take 1 a day,as a work mate went to kenya,and she said they had to take 3 malerone a day!!!.This would work out really expensive!!.
Thanks sue

Suziuno

The protocol for Malarone is One (1) tablet a day. I have no idea why your friend was taking three pills a day. Overdoing any med can be toxic to the body. Maybe this person wasn't taking Malarone???

Your physician can give you script for this and have him recheck the dosage, but my insert says 1-daily. There's always a possibility that Malarone comes in a lower dosage, and that's why this person had to take 3 daily, but I doubt it.

Thanks-glad to hear it's only 1 per day!!! afraid it was going to work out very!!! pricey
sue

suziuno, I have taken Lariam and Malarone (on different trips) and far prefer the Malarone which had no discernible side effects for me.

But REALLY you need to be getting this advice from a travel doctor or the travel specialist at your health plan. You don't want to fool around -- be sure you are taking the drug that is effective for the area you are going to.