There is no simple anti malaria medication prescription, you have to weigh the pros and cons and we help you make the decision. Far too many and inappropriate prescriptions are issued by family practitioners. The actual risk of malaria depends on the area you are visiting, taking note of the FIVE different strains of the malaria parasite, transmission, recent outbreaks, climate, altitude, duration and type of travel.

The decision whether to use preventative drugs or not will be based on discussion with you and our doctor about the relative malaria risk and the area to be visited, as well as the potential side effects and the cost of the available anti-malaria drugs. Medication will only be dispensed if you absolutely need it. The malaria consultation fee with our doctor costs $35 (~ 20 min) .

We diagnosed the first case of 'Monkey Malaria' in NZ, in a traveller returning from Asia ( 3 August 2010 -NZ Herald)

Click here to see the full article 

A MUST READ IF YOU ARE PLANNING TRAVEL TO POSSIBLE MALARIA AREAS               

Chloroquine, Doxycycline, Larium, Malarone and Primaquine

• These drugs are used to kill the malaria parasite before the traveller becomes ill.
• They are usually commenced before entering the malaria area, to ensure that protective levels are reached.

• Sometimes, we may choose to trial them well before your trip to check that you have no adverse reactions while travelling

• They may need to be continued for 7 to 28 days (depending)  after leaving the area to ensure the treatment of parasites still emerging from the liver.

• No drug is 100% effective, but when chosen well, they can provide 90% or more protection over and above simply using mosquito avoidance measures. 

• The decision whether to use preventative drugs or not should be based on discussion with the travel doctor about the relative malaria risk and the area to be visited, as well as the potential side effects and the cost of the available anti-malaria drugs.
• The actual risk of malaria depends on the area you are visiting, taking note of the different strains of the malaria parasite, recent outbreaks and transmission, climate, altitude, duration and type of travel
• If you are at risk, the travel doctor will advise you on the best options
• There are pros and cons (dosing, efficacy, side effects and costs) of the different types of anti- malaria medications

Finally, there is no point in relying on the local guides and local folk for advice on your malaria risk, as they have a level of semi- immunity

NB: The mosquito that carries the malaria parasite is small and not easily seen or heard. A simple bite, a deadly infection. Malaria is a serious and life-threatening disease and there is no published evidence to support the use of homeopathy, vitamin B or garlic in the prevention of malaria.

There is no simple anti-malarial prescription. Far too many prescriptions are issued by family doctors, and not infrequently inappropriate.

 You have to weigh up the pros and cons.

If you wish to consult us at the travel clinic to decide if you really do need to be taking personal protective measures and anti-malaria medication for a particular area within a country, the cost of the consult is $35. We will spend ~ 20 minutes with you discussing the real risk of malaria and only dispense medication if absolutely necessary. When you book, please request a malaria consult. 

You should purchase your antimalarial drugs before travel. Drugs purchased overseas may not be manufactured according to New Zealand standards and may not be effective. They also may be dangerous, contain counterfeit medications or contaminants, or be combinations of drugs that are not safe to use.

NB: Once anti-malarial medication is dispensed, they cannot be returned . Prices quoted are per tablet. You have to have been consulted by our doctor to order medication. 

Chloroquine 

Chloroquine. For certain areas in Central America. $2.30

Use is restricted to plasmodium vivax risk areas eg. Central America.

Dosing: take 2 tablets  once a week after a meal with plenty of fluid, starting 1 week before entering a risk area, while in the risk area and for 4 weeks after leaving the risk area.

Doxycycline tablets

Dosing: take 1 tablet daily after a meal with plenty of fluid, starting 2 days before entering a risk area, while in the area  and for 4 weeks after leaving the malaria risk area .

Lariam tablets     Mefloquine 250 mg. For those travellers that want a simple weekly regimen. $9.00 Cost: per tablet           Dosing: take 1 tablet once a week on the same day each week, after a meal with plenty of fluid. Start 1 week before entering a risk area, while in the area and until 4 weeks afterleaving the risk area. If you have never used this medication previously , it ought to be trialed once for a few weeks well before travelling. This is a single malaria drug ( mefloquine). Avoid heavy alcohol consumption for 24 hours before and after the weekly dose. People with epilepsy, psychological illness, abnormal heart beats, pilots, scuba divers should avoid this drug. If minor side effects occur try splitting the dose e.g., take ½ tablet on Sunday and ½ tablet on Thursday. If major symptoms occur such as dizziness, agitation, depression or racing pulse occur, stop the drug and seek advice. Children can take according to weight. Safe in pregnancy.     Malarone tablets ( adult + junior )     Atavaquone/Proguanil. This is the latest anti-malarial. $10 ( adult ) Cost: per tablet  Dosing : 1 tablet daily ; start 2 days before entering the risk area, while in the area and continue for 7 days after leaving the area. This is a new fixed combination anti-malarial and is the most effective for certain strains of the malaria parasite and has the least side effects. NB: For those travellers that have used malarone, please don’t erroneously conclude that you will NEVER take this efficacious antimalarial again, because of a coincidental illness like gastritis/gastro-enteritis. For you we advise you take a short trial at home.                        Primaquine           Cost: per tablet Dosing: take daily, starting 2 days before entering the risk area, while in the area and continue for 7 days after leaving the area

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