Malarone

What is Malarone?

Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil) is a medication that is classified as an antimalarial. Malarone is used to treat malaria and also as a prophylaxis - to prevent someone contracting Malaria in the first place.

Is Malarone Right For Me?

It is important to check what medications are recommended for the particular region to which you intend to travel. We have a link to the latest NHS and Foreign Office advice during our consultation process to give you the correct and up to date information for your region. Malarone may not be appropriate for you even if it is one of the recommended antimalarials for the region to which you intend to travel. If your trip is for more than 4 weeks then Malarone will not be an appropriate prophylaxis.

Can I Buy Malarone Tablets?

The Online Clinic is prepared to prescribe Malarone tablets as a prophylaxis for a trip to a malarious region so long as Malarone is appropriate for you, based on your medical history. Please click on the Free Consultation button below to begin your consultation with a GMC registered doctor.

Is Malarone Effective?

Malarone is effective in preventing Malaria but no medication provides 100% protection and one medication is not better than any other recommended for the same region. It is important to only take a medication that is approved and recommended for the region to which you are travelling.

Is Malarone Safe?

Malarone is safe but you must ensure that you tell our doctors about any other medications that you are taking as Malarone can influence the potency of other medications. In particular, it is better not to take Malarone tablets with metoclopramide (a treatment for nausea and vomiting), certain antibiotics such as tetracyclines and rifampicin. It is also not advisable to take Malarone with the anti-coagulant Warfarin. This is not an exhaustive list so make sure to make a full disclosure to the doctor.

Does Malarone Have Side Effects?

All medications have potential side effects but most people take Malarone without encountering any problems whatsoever. The most common side effects recorded are:

• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhoea

Other common side effects include:

• Dizziness
• Insomnia
• Weird dreams
• Depression
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Rash
• Cough

Please do not let the potential side effects put you off taking any potentially lifesaving medication such as Malarone. The effects of having malaria are significantly worse and if not detected in time, could even be fatal.

How Do I take Malarone?

As we only prescribe Malarone to prevent malaria rather than to treat it, the dosing regimen is one tablet once a day, starting 1 - 2 days before you enter the malarious region and continue for 7 days after you leave the region. Take Malarone with food or a milky drink as this will allow your body to absorb more of the active ingredient, thereby making it more effective.