Help - malaria tablets!!

LillyJ

You don't need antimalarials for large parts of SA. The only places you might need them are in the far north. Where abouts are you going? I travelled round SA for 3 months and my practice nurse looked up the areas on her system and I didn't need them. I had a friend who took them when she went to Cape Town which was a bit silly as she didn't mention this to her GP! All tablets have side effects and it is better not to take something you don't need.
Don't bother waiting till you are there to get them either, they are not available over the counter in SA as they are in many African countries (where it can be cheaper to buy them there).
If you do have you looked at Larium? They have had some bad press but they are what I always take when I go away. They are not for you if you have had any form of mental illness eg depression or if you have a family history of it.
You only take one a week and I think they cost about £5 per tablet?

South Africa Malaria Risk Areas: Malaria is endemic in the Lowveld of Mpumalanga and in Limpopo and in KwaZulu Natal, malaria is endemic on the Maputaland coast. So if you are travelling to the far north of South Africa, please consult a heath-care professional for the latest advice on malaria prophylaxis as it changes regularly

#http://www.sa-venues.com/malaria-risk-areas.htm

Former_MSE_Andrea

Hi everyone

Please remember this site is about MoneySaving. For any queries about medications always see a health care professional.

Andrea

bexsa

hi,

i went needed 6 weeks of malaria tabets last year - i got my prescription from my doctor and took it to tesco to actually by the tablets - saving over £50!

SilverFox

My medical advice for beach resorts [not an obvious place to pick-up malaria --the inland regions are a bigger risk] and was told that Avloclor are as good as any; the cost for 40 tablets for two of us for a two week stay was £2.00 from our local Lloyds chemist.

Incidentally, has anyone any advice for the Sosua/Purto Plata area??

beer_tins

I'd say have a G&T every night, but unfortunately tonic water doesn't contain enough quinine any more these days to be effective!

I had Malaria BTW and believe me it's not nice. I was about 15 and my mum thought I was going to croak, don't remember much myself as I was delerious! Didn't take Malaria tables then as we were living out there and taking anti Malaria drugs over a long period of time isn't that good for you. Maybe that's not the case any more though.

Ask your GP about different suitable types and prices and get your prescription at Tesco or similar!

danners_2

I have found a great service where i can complete an online consultation to get a prescription and the malaria tablets are posted to me - saves me a trip to the doctors and chemist, which takes a lot of time out of my working day and being a self-employed frequent world traveller saves me money by doung so. Prices are comparable too and it is the only service I have found online that is fully regulated by ALL the relevant authorities.

It is at doctorfox.co.uk/anti-malaria-tablets/

It recommends visiting the NHS website fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations.aspx first and look-up your destinations - this will tell you what type of anti malaria pill you need. Then go onto Dr Fox site and order that for the length of trip you need.

Malaria is an awful condition - if the NHS website states you need medication for where you are going then take that advice!