Malaria medication advice?

[daktari]

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Hi, I was wondering whether anyone who's traveled abroad has any advice about which of the three anti-malarial medications I should take. I've been getting conflicting reports from people about Lariam vs Malorone or doxycycline. Thanks!

 

[Pythagoras]

Where are you going? and for how long? and what activities will you be participating?

You may not need to take anything. Kind of depends on what you are gonna be doing.

 

[midwest_turtle]

pythagoras is right, it kinda does matter where you'll be going and how long you'll be there. the cdc recommends mefloquine (lariam), and that is what i have taken when i've gone to malaria risk areas.

 

[foodlover]

I've read that Larium has a very high risk of weird side effects - nightmares, etc.

What area are you going to? Depending on where you are going, different meds are recommended.

Personally, I went to the Amazon Jungle for 9 days once, and chose not to take the malaria meds. I used a lot of DEET, wore long sleeves and long pants, and never got one mosquito bite (although I got lots of other bites). In my group of 10 people, I think only one had chosen to take the malaria meds.

It's a risk you have to decide for yourself.

 

[SoCuteMD]

Larium gave me awful nightmares. Doxy makes me sick. I'm going for the DEET solution next time.

 

[infiniti]

Just don't ever take chloroquine. I grew up on that stuff and it is really awful. Take whatever is recommended by the cdc. Most of them will have minor side effects.

 

[Miami_med]

Hi, I was wondering whether anyone who's traveled abroad has any advice about which of the three anti-malarial medications I should take. I've been getting conflicting reports from people about Lariam vs Malorone or doxycycline. Thanks!

For short stays in Central/South America, I wouldn't take anything. For West Africa, I definately would. I think for longer stays in Central/South America, they are still using Cloriquine?

 

[DrMom]

Please do not use SDN to solicit medical advice. You need to have this discussion with your personal physician.