Understanding malaria

Do I need to take drugs?

Discuss your travel plans with your doctor or health clinic before you go. They will need to know which country/area you are going to, and the type of travel or activities you will be doing (e.g. backpacking or staying in air-conditioned hotels). Depending on the area you are going to, and your health status, they will tell you if you need to take preventive drugs, and if so, what type.

Preventive medication will in some instances need to be started up to 2 weeks before you travel, taken every day, and continued for several weeks after you have left the area where malaria is a hazard. (Note: Malarone^® (atovaquone-proguanil) can be started one or two days before entering a malaria risk area and should be continued for seven days after leaving the area).

Remember - with drugs that prevent malaria, you must continue to take the medication while in the malaria risk area, and with most drugs, for several weeks after leaving it, as specified by the particular drug prescribing information. A drug that is not taken offers no protection and to take antimalarials irregularly is a dangerous gamble.

Your doctor may not always prescribe a preventive drug and may recommend taking a standby antimalarial drug with you instead. This is for emergency use only.

If you have been prescribed emergency standby treatment, only take it if you experience the symptoms of malaria, and you cannot get prompt treatment from a local doctor.

Commonly used antimalarial drugs

Preventative drugs
Chloroquine/proguanil
Atovaquone/proguanil

Drugs used for treatment (uncomplicated malaria)
Artemether/lumefantrine
Atovaquone/proguanil

Drugs used for standby emergency treatment
Artemether/lumefantrine
Chloroquine (for P. vivax areas only)
Quinine (and used for severe malaria)
Atovaquone/proguanil

Note: A drug used for standby emergency treatment is usually different from the drug used for prevention. (Note: Malarone^® can be taken for both). Ask your doctor for further information.