Long-timers use of anti-malarials?

droid53 · Dec 9th, 2002, 03:21

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?

paan wallah · Jan 31st, 2003, 20:21

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

picklepak · Feb 3rd, 2003, 11:16

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.

Spinners · Feb 3rd, 2003, 20:55

15,999 out of 16,000 people who take it can't be wrong.
Don't believe the Hype!!

vistet · Feb 4th, 2003, 00:34

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.

kwistbeableandco · Feb 17th, 2003, 11:29

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.

abracax · Feb 18th, 2003, 21:53

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.

Dec 9th, 2002, 03:21	#1
droid53 Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 5	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?

Feb 3rd, 2003, 20:55	#4
Spinners Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Ireland Posts: 31	Go with the Lariam 15,999 out of 16,000 people who take it can't be wrong. Don't believe the Hype!!

Feb 18th, 2003, 21:53	#7
abracax Mahaguru Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Canada Posts: 435	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. __________________ He travels fastest who pays for a cab.

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Jan 31st, 2003, 20:21	#2
paan wallah kitchen guru Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: universe Posts: 344	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

Feb 3rd, 2003, 11:16	#3
picklepak Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 274	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.

Feb 17th, 2003, 11:29	#6
kwistbeableandco Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sri Lanka Posts: 33	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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