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Long-timers use of anti-malarials?


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Old Dec 9th, 2002, 03:21   #1
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Long-timers use of anti-malarials?

I've read that using anti-malarial medication in India, particularly during the wet season, is wise, but I've also heard that long-term use of these medications should be avoided. So what do long term ex-pats in India do? Use deet, sleep under mosquito nets and hope for the best?
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Old Jan 31st, 2003, 20:21   #2
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I only took anti malaria medicine on my very first trips
since then I never used them anymore....
if you get sick they will be widly available in india..
I m always taking a good mossie net with me...wearing long sleeves and long trousers in the moring and evening time...
once I took paludrine,this felt a bit like beeing on acid for me..
I got some paranoia attacks and other strong sideeffects
so I immediately stopped taking it...
so whats better getting sick from anti malaria medicine or having malaria?
I really do hope that I never will catch malaria on my next trips!
havin thypoid fever once was enough for me!

stay healthy
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Old Feb 3rd, 2003, 11:16   #3
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I'd echo those comments about Larium. I took it once for about three weeks and it felt like I was living in a dream... at first this sounds like a nice thing, sure, but when things get a little crazy in India it's not so good. Plus, even the manufacturer doesn't recommend that you take Larium for an extended time, I think they recommend maximum 1 year ??? Anyway, if they recommend that you'd do well do avoid even six months of that stuff.

I went traveling for a year and bought the Chloroquine/Proguanil combo in Mumbai. Chloroquine you take once a week but it gave me severe headaches. Progunail is a great alternative, I think it's recommended to take for several years but when I ran out I couldn't find a replacement... so I spent the next 11 months going without.

I'd rather take the (small) risk and go without any malaria drugs than to wrestle with any unknown, long-term side-effects, ESPECIALLY with Larium.
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Old Feb 3rd, 2003, 20:55   #4
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Go with the Lariam

15,999 out of 16,000 people who take it can't be wrong.
Don't believe the Hype!!
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Old Feb 4th, 2003, 00:34   #5
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Quote:
Originally posted by picklepak

Chloroquine you take once a week..Progunail is a great alternative... when I ran out I couldn't find a replacement...
The demand for Progunail and Chloroquine is low because these drugs are not effective against the Indian chloroquine resistant malaria strains.
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Old Feb 17th, 2003, 11:29   #6
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The question was about long-term use of these medications (over the years). This is quite different from a trip to India (even during a few months).
Again tthis points to the need of a seperate expats (oldhands) forum.
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Old Feb 18th, 2003, 21:53   #7
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The most sensible approach I have encountered is to keep a stock of doxycycline handy, and only take the pills when in a malaria-risk area and/or at the mosquito time of year. In some places that means almost never, but you'd be nuts to be in a place like Madras or Bangalore during an outbreak of cerebral malaria without prophyllaxis.
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