Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Anti-Malaria tablets

  • 07-11-2005 12:34pm
    #1
    Miss Fluff
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,673 ✭✭✭


    Hey all, has anyone had any adverse side-effects from taking anti-malaria tablets? I've heard they do all sorts :eek: Cheers


Comments

  • #2
    bringitdown
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,002 ✭✭✭bringitdown


    Not had any from Malarone or Doxycyclene, having taken both. The listed side effects were much 'nicer' with Malarone.

    TBH it really depends on the individual, side effects vary person to person and this question is better directed at a doctor / pharmacist.


  • #3
    nj23
    Closed Accounts Posts: 83 ✭✭nj23


    i was in thailand in August and began taking malaria tablets but gave them up after a week. they made me feel really nauseous after taking them. make sure you definitely take them with food.

    we decided to take them because we were doing a trek in chiang mai but to be honest nobody else in our group had taken them and the guides said that there hadnt been malaria for years there and we should be safe enough.

    but still that was just one place. to be on the safe side you should probably take them. i have heard that you burn easier while you are taking them but that wasnt my experience.

    My only advice is take them while eating, you dont feel half as sick!


  • #4
    PunyHuman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 297 ✭✭PunyHuman


    I've only taken doxycycline which is an antibiotic and protects against a range of diseases. It also settles the stomach. I only found mild side-effects such as a short slight headache and increased photosensitivity as the last poster mentioned. The drug with all the supposed side-effects is mefloquine (aka larium).

    It should be mentioned that doxycycline is available in Asia for a fraction of its Irish price.


  • #5
    Ag marbh
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,258 ✭✭✭Ag marbh


    Go for doxycycline.

    If it's Thailand you're heading for wait until you get over there to buy them because I paid 5 euro for 40 odd and most of my friends payed over 50 euro. No prescription needed in Thailand.


  • #6
    Ruu_Old
    Closed Accounts Posts: 36,634 ✭✭✭✭Ruu_Old


    tablets? i thought it was a shot you got at the doctors


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    bringitdown
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,002 ✭✭✭bringitdown


    Ruu wrote:
    tablets? i thought it was a shot you got at the doctors
    Not for malaria, there is no vaccine as yet, just prophylaxis.

    I'm all for buying cheap drugs, mmmkay, in Thailand etc but you'll have no idea of the side-effects you may be prone to if you wait to start the course of tablets until you get there. And being sick in such places sucks.

    Summary of main prophylactics:

    # Doxycycline is a suitable prophylactic anti-malarial agent to use in high risk areas such as South East Asia. It must not be used in children under 8 years of age nor in pregnant or breast-feeding women. Doxycycline may cause contraceptive pills to be less effective so additional precautions should be taken. It may cause thrush in some women but usually only when taken for long periods. It may cause severe skin photosensitivity in some individuals. Doxycycline - Adult dose 100mg daily. Start 1-2 days before travelling to a malarious area and continue for 2-4 weeks after leaving. To ensure that the patient is not sensitive to doxycycline it is worthwhile starting treatment 7 days before travelling. It is recommended that it is not taken for longer than three months without a medical review.

    # Mefloquine (Lariam) is still a widely used prophylactic. It has a long half life and the convenience of a once weekly dose. For adults (more than 45 kg bodyweight) the dose is 250mg base weekly, starting one week before arrival in a malarious area. Side effects have been reported which are generally mild (e.g. Sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal disturbances, dizziness or disturbed sense of balance). A rare but important adverse reaction is acute brain syndrome which occurs in one in 5,000-20,000 of those taking the drug. It is not recommended for aircraft pilots or drivers of public transport.

    # MalaroneTM. This is a combination of atovaquone and proguanil and recent studies have found it a safe and effective prophylactic agent with few side affects. Unfortunately it is expensive (~US$42 for 12 tablets) and has to be taken daily. It is not suitable for those sensitive to atovaquone or proguanil . Treatment should be started 2 days before travel and continued for at least 7 days after a period of potential exposure to malaria.

    Again talk to a doctor or pharmacist, I (we) are not professionals!


Advertisement