Malaria in Burma
 

Am I correct in assuming that Bagan, Inle and Mrauk U are malarial areas requiring anti malarial drugs? Did those of you who have been to Burma take anti malarials for these areas? If so, I just realized that my DH and I will need a prescription for 50 generic Malarone(25 pills each) and it is not covered by our insurance. I am thinking of using doxycline instead. Have any females used doxycycline as an antimalarial for a 3 week trip plus the one moth after the trip? Any side effects?

www.drugs.com/doxycycline.html

my wife has taken them a lot no problems

better than getting sick...

We sunburn more easily wear suncreen.

mdtravelhealth.com malariahotspots.co.uk Burma good info.

We have always used doxycylcline, including when we were in Myanmar - never a problem but do watch out for sunburn...

I think the generic malarone has reduced the cost to half. It is by far more effective. Check with the CDC for areas involved and you pharmacy for the generic cost. You may be surprised.

Hi shelleyk!

I used doxycycline for rosacea for my fair skin for some time and had no side effects. As others have stated-it makes you more susceptible to sunburn.

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We used malarone as an anitmalarial (sri lanka not burma).

We each needed 20 pills total.

Full price for 20 pills was $124.90, so $6.25/pill.

Insurance covered ours. The cost was $16 for 20 pills, so $.80/pill.

The pharmacies around here are either price gouging or the meds have taken a sudden jump in price. Brand Malarone is $8.87 per pill and generic is $7.12.

Shelly, Check Costoc as yhye have the lowest prices on Malarone in the US. Also, ask for teh generic - it's hard to come by, but perhaps your pharmacy can get it with some advance notice.

Doxycycline and Malarone are considered equally effective in preventing malaria infection when properly taken. The trouble with doxycycline is you must take it for 28 days after leaving the malaria risk zone, and many people do not do that. For best results it also must be taken at the same time each day. Malarone, too. But Malarone only need be continued for 7 days after leaving the malaria risk zone, so many people find that regime easier to stick to. Doxycycline is much, much less expensive. For many, Malarone has fewer bothersome side effects, but some people have no trouble at all with it.