C: Chemoprophylaxis

(Antimalarial Medicines)

What drugs can I take to prevent malaria
when I travel to Africa?

  • Going to West/Central Africa or most of East Africa? You'll need antimalarial tablets.

  • Countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and Sierra Leone are high-risk for malaria. Antimalarial tablets and bite prevention are a must. Nigeria has more malaria cases and deaths than anywhere else in the world.

  • Bite prevention is vital, even with tablets! No antimalarial is 100% effective, but combining them with bite prevention drastically lowers your risk. Tablets don't stop bites or stop the malaria parasites from entering the body, but they do stop the parasites from making you sick with malaria.

  • Antimalarials vary. They work differently, have different side effects, and some might not be effective in certain areas due to drug resistance.

  • Main antimalarials for Africa: doxycycline, atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone, Maloff Protect, or generic), and mefloquine (Lariam). 

  • Not sure which one is right for you? Ask your doctor, travel nurse, pharmacist, or a travel health expert.

  • Start taking anti-malaria tablets BEFORE you travel. Some need a few days, others a week or more. You want protection from day one.

  • Take them regularly! Don't skip doses – set an alarm if needed.

  • Finish the whole course! Even after you leave, stopping early could still lead to infection. Your healthcare provider will tell you how long to take them.

    In the UK, most antimalarials need a prescription, except atovaquone/proguanil, which you can get at pharmacies (with some rules).

Types of malaria tablets

You've got a few options for antimalarial tablets depending on where you are travelling to and how much time you have before you set off.  

Doxycycline: Cheap, works well, and you take it daily. Start 2 days before your trip and keep going for 4 weeks after you get home.  

Malarone: A daily pill with two ingredients, starts 2 days before travel, and you only need to keep taking it for 7 days after you return. Good for last minute trips. 

Atovaquone/proguanil or Maloff Protect: The unbranded forms of Malarone. They are cheaper options with the same active ingredients that work to kill the malaria parasite. 

Mefloquine (Lariam): Weekly pill, handy for people who don't like daily meds. Start 2-3 weeks before your trip, and keep taking it for 4 weeks after your trip. Not suitable for everyone, so check if it's right for you. 

Ok I’m going to protect myself! How do I get my anti-malarials?

  • Travel clinic: Travel medicine experts who'll ask about your trip, health history, and suggest what you need. Give them your travel plans in advance, and they'll tailor vaccination and anti-malarial tablet advice for you.

    You can find options for travel clinics online

  • Your GP practice may also offer travel health services so check with them.

  • You can drop in at a high street pharmacy that offers travel health services to get your antimalarial advice, antimalarial medication and travel advice but not all pharmacies advise on children or those who are pregnant.

    Online pharmacies - some of these offer click and collect or same day delivery so even if you need to leave at short notice, you can still get your medicines.

Steps To Order Your Malaria Medicines Online

You'll need to complete a questionnaire online to assess your medical history and travel plans.

Consult An Online Pharmacy That Is Verified To Sell Medicines Online Check for this logo

  1. Prescription Approval

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A doctor or pharmacist will review your information online and, if appropriate, prescribe the necessary malaria medication.

2. Order and Payment:

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Place your order online and pay for the medication and prescription.

A green and white CAPTCHA box with a British flag, prompting users to verify if the website is operating legally.

3. CLICK AND COLLECT

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Choose click and collect at checkout and select a pharmacy near you.

Advice-about-online-malaria-tablets.pdf

Key things to remember

Get your malaria medication before you travel and start them before you head off to Africa. Take them correctly.

Know exactly when and how often to take any medication, including how long after you get back. 

5. PICKUP

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You'll receive confirmation when your order is ready for pickup at the chosen pharmacy. 

(you can also choose to get the malaria medication delivered to an address of your choice)

Travelling soon and need antimalarials ASAP?

Graphic of an orange clock with an airplane icon crossing it, symbolizing travel or flight time.

  • Get your antimalarials from a pharmacy or clinic with travel health services or use verified online pharmacies with click and collect or fast delivery.

  • Atovaquone-proguanil can be started one day before travel to a malaria area.