Malaria Medication

zachkingsley80

Do you need a prescription in India to buy malaria medication or can you just get it over the counter. Which ones are possible to get?

Anders

No you don't need a prescription. For availability check the Health and Well being forum here on Indiamike.

graybola

I've read all posts concerning malaria, but I dont see the answers. So, how easy is it to get anti malarial tablets? And also what does it cost, specifically for malarone? Thanks!!!!

goangoangone

I bought Doxycycline the other day.



just saw your post. Don't think Malarone is available.

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wonderwomanusa

Doxycycline is really inexpensive there: I paid RS 396 for 100 tablets in Delhi, two years ago.

edwardseco

No malarone available to my knowledge..

graybola

I will have to talk to my Dr about switching me from malarone to Doxycycline. The cheapest place I could find Malarone in the US was about $5 per pill. I would much rather have to take something for a longer period and have it cost a lot less.

Thanks, Chris

Sama

I went back and forth a lot on whether to take doxcycline or malarone -- I finally went for the malarone. You have to continue with the doxcycline for a month after your return from India, and I did not want to be on a 2 month regimen of an antibiotic (I will be in Chennai for a month) when I'm not sick (not good for the good germs in your body). Malarone you only have to take for a week after you return.

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edwardseco

Malarone is modestly cheaper if bought in Canada! I found that out on a link here. However, the news says the Canadians are buckling under and may restrict that free trade. Doxy is my choice for longer periods (5 USD a day for malarone!). It does have special conditions to note like its a no-no with bc pills and with children under 12. It also does tend to cause sun sensitivity. This lasts for me about a week. Otherwise its great and so cheap. There really isn't anything for beyond 6 months unless you can afford malarone..

limaye

Hello - I take Lariam (mefloquine) as we were advised through work doctors repeatedly NOT to take Malarone, as it is one of the most effective treatments if you were to come down with malaria, which obviously you can still get no matter what anti-malarial you're taking. Friends who take Doxy is gentler on the stomach/dreams, but I like the once-a-week aspect of Lariam. I get the meds here and they're cheap.

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Karan321

Anti Malarial tablets for both prevention and cure are freely available across the country at any chemist. Doxycycline (several brands available) and Mefloquin (Larium, Meflotas etc.) are the more commonly used prophylactics. Malarone which is a combination of Atovaquone and Proguanil is currently not manufactured in India and the import because of the relatively high cost is rarely available in some larger pharmacies. Proguanil (Laveran) in itself is available though and is also used as a preventive.

Nick-H

Anyone settling for some weeks rather than touring or coming for a quick visit would do well to consult a local doctor. They will know what strains of malaria are found in their area and what to take, and what is the local name for the drug.

Hey: India does have doctors! Not directed at any poster in this thread, but I am often left wondering why enquirers here seem so reluctant to see a doctor in India. Chances are they'd see the same person working in US or UK (My Chennai doctor regularly comes to UK to work for a few weeks).

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goangoangone

You can ask different people at home before you leave and get different responses. I think that's why people ask on here.