Malaria medication

mahdlo

Going away for 6 months in Feb. 3 mths S America, 3 mths S E Asia.

Got jabs for Typhoid and Yellow Fever the other day and was given a load of literature to read regarding Malaria after which we should decide which anti-Malaria medication to go for.

For S America we shouldn't need any, however, will do in S E Asia.

While with the nurse she phoned a pharmacy to get a rough price for the "best" medication ("Malaron" it may have been?) and told us £200 each for 3 months worth!

I asked what was the difference between the dearest and cheapest option, does the cheap one not work etc?? And asked how the indigenous populations of these areas manage.
Being the NHS I didn't really get anything that could be described as a decent answer!

She did say it's possible to buy them over the counter in somewhere like Singapore for much less - has anyone ever done anything like this?

Does anyone know a cheap way to ward off Malaria??!

We'll be "flashpacking" moreso than back packing, therefore, may only spend minimal time in jungle type areas (although this could change).

alison74

Haven't been in S. America since end 2006, but you could buy malaria tablets at pharmacies without prescription, all kinds.

You don't say where you are going in South America, but it would be worthwhile checking out the places you are going require medication for malaria. The only place I thought I needed it was the Amazon in Peru, but the area that our eco lodge was in was malaria free.

Just back from SE Asia this week and as ever, you can buy malaria medication EVERYWHERE without prescription. I just stocked up for my next trip on my way home in Bangkok. Also available in Vietnam, Cambodia etc

Tablets work out pennies rather than pounds.

Remember to seek proper advice about requirements as people can't advise on this forum.

mahdlo

Thanks for the reply.

The areas I'm visiting in S America seem to be malaria free.

With S E Asia I fly into Hong Kong then down to Singapore to pop over to Borneo then work our way back up to HK.

Am I right in thinking I'd be OK buying tablets up in HK or Singapore then?

bandraoi

There are cheaper tablets available then malarone - doxycycline or something is what the usual one is called. Look up malaria tablets and you'll find stuff about them.

There are more possible side effects but most people are fine. (I was)
You need to start taking them a few days before you travel and 28 days after you get back.

I would at the very least get a few weeks worth before you go, that way you don't have to get your hands on tablets as soon as you arrive (all too easy to forget)

taketwo

I went to Thailand last summer and you couldn't buy Malarone without a prescription over the counter there.

Woody69_2

You don't need malaria tablets for many areas of South East asia so you probably wont need to take it for the whole 3 months, No need for Singapore, most of Malaysia and Thailand for example.