Planning an overseas trip is always exciting, but if your adventure takes you to a country where malaria is present, protecting yourself should be part of your travel checklist. According to the UK Health Security Agency, around 1,500 people in the UK are diagnosed with malaria each year, nearly all after travelling abroad. The World Health Organisation also reports over 240 million cases globally every year, showing how common the risk still is for travellers.
Before you set off, it’s important to understand which malaria prevention medicines work best for your destination. In the UK, you can get safe and effective antimalarial medication through trusted travel clinics and pharmacies, helping you stay healthy and enjoy your journey with confidence.
What Are Antimalarial Drugs, and Why Are They Important?
Antimalarial drugs are medicines that help prevent or treat malaria, a serious disease caused by parasites transmitted through mosquito bites. These parasites enter the bloodstream and can cause fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms that may become life-threatening if untreated.
Because there’s no available vaccine that gives complete protection, taking the right malaria tablets in the UK is the most effective prevention method when travelling to affected areas.
Which Are the Commonly Recommended Antimalarial Medications?
Different antimalarial drugs suit different people and destinations. The right choice often depends on where you’re travelling, how long you’ll be there, and your health background.
- Malarone (Atovaquone-Proguanil)
Malarone is one of the most popular options among UK travellers. It’s taken daily, starting 1–2 days before travel and continuing for 7 days after leaving the risk area.
Advantages:
- Well tolerated and rarely causes side effects
- Safe for last-minute trips due to short pre-travel start time
- Suitable for short holidays
Possible side effects: mild stomach upset, headache, or abdominal pain.
- Doxycycline
This antibiotic also works as an effective malaria prevention medicine. It’s taken daily and started 1–2 days before travel, continuing for 4 weeks after leaving the affected area.
Advantages:
- Low cost
- Suitable for last-minute travel
- Protects against other infections such as tick-borne diseases
Possible side effects: increased sensitivity to sunlight and mild stomach irritation. Travellers should avoid prolonged sun exposure and take it with food or water.
- Lariam (Mefloquine)
Lariam is taken weekly, starting 2–3 weeks before travel, so you can test for any side effects before your trip.
Advantages:
- Convenient weekly dosage
- Suitable for longer trips
Possible side effects: vivid dreams, dizziness, or mood changes. It’s not suitable for those with certain mental health conditions.
How Do These Malaria Tablets Work?
All antimalarial drugs target the malaria parasite at different stages of its life cycle in the bloodstream or liver.
How Malarone Works
Malarone antimalarial tablets combine two active ingredients that stop the parasite from reproducing and spreading in the body.
How Doxycycline Works
It prevents the malaria parasite from multiplying, reducing the chance of infection after a mosquito bite.
How Lariam Works
It disrupts the parasite’s growth in red blood cells, preventing the infection from developing.
How to Choose the Right Antimalarial Medication for Your Trip
When selecting the right option, consider the following:
Check the Destination Risk
Malaria risk varies by country and even within regions. Some parasites are resistant to certain drugs, so it’s important to choose one suitable for your destination.
Duration of Travel
For short trips, daily medicines like Malarone antimalarial tablets may be ideal, while weekly tablets like Lariam are better for longer stays.
Your Health and Tolerance
If you have a history of stomach sensitivity or mental health concerns, certain medicines may not be suitable. Our pharmacists can help you choose the safest option for your needs.
If you live in or around Earlswood, you can visit our travel clinic in Earlswood that offers travel vaccinations in the UK based on your travel plans. We offer a full range of travel vaccinations and malaria prevention medicines to help you stay protected wherever you’re headed.
What Else Can You Do to Prevent Malaria?
Antimalarial tablets work best when combined with other preventive steps.
Use mosquito protection
Apply insect repellent, wear long sleeves, and sleep under mosquito nets treated with insecticide.
Time your doses correctly
Start taking your medication before travel, continue during your stay, and keep taking it for the recommended period after leaving the area.
Stay alert after returning
If you develop flu-like symptoms such as fever or chills within a year of returning, seek medical advice immediately and mention your travel history.
Where Can You Get Reliable Antimalarial Tablets in the UK?
If you’re planning your next trip, it’s best to prepare early. You can book a consultation at our travel clinic in Earlswood or visit any of our branches offering travel vaccinations in the UK.
Our expert pharmacists can help you choose the right malaria prevention medicines based on your destination and travel duration. They can also advise on other essential vaccines like typhoid or hepatitis for full protection before your journey.
Book your consultation today at Townsend Pharmacy and travel with confidence knowing you’re fully protected against malaria.
FAQs
- Which is the best antimalarial drug for UK travellers?
The best antimalarial drug depends on where you’re travelling and how long your trip is. Malarone is often preferred for short trips because it’s well tolerated and easy to start just before travel. Doxycycline and Lariam are also effective options, especially for longer stays. Our pharmacists can help you choose the most suitable option for your destination.
- Can I buy malaria tablets in the UK without a prescription?
Most malaria tablets in the UK, including Malarone, Doxycycline, and Lariam, are available after a brief consultation with a pharmacist. You don’t need to visit your GP — simply book an appointment or complete an online consultation at a registered travel clinic or pharmacy.
- When should I start taking my malaria prevention medicines before travelling?
This depends on the type of antimalarial medication you choose. Malarone should be started 1–2 days before entering a malaria area, doxycycline 1–2 days before, and Lariam about 2–3 weeks in advance. Always continue for the recommended period after leaving the region to ensure full protection.
- Are there any side effects of taking Malarone or other malaria tablets?
Most travellers tolerate malaria tablets well. Malarone may occasionally cause mild stomach upset or headache, doxycycline can increase sun sensitivity, and Lariam may cause vivid dreams in some users. Our pharmacists can discuss your medical history and help you select the safest option for your trip.
- Do I still need to take antimalarial drugs if I use mosquito repellent?
Yes. Insect repellent and mosquito nets reduce the risk of bites but do not stop malaria infection if you’re bitten by an infected mosquito. Antimalarial drugs work inside your body to kill the parasite before it causes illness, making them essential for full protection.
- Where can I get malaria prevention medicines and travel vaccines in the UK?
You can get both malaria tablets and travel vaccinations in the UK at local pharmacies offering travel health services. At Townsend Pharmacy, our travel clinic in Earlswood provides personalised advice, malaria prevention medicines, and essential vaccines for safe and stress-free travel.