Poll: Malaria Meds

Barbara Martyn · Jan 15th, 2007, 22:17

We're taking malaria pills. Definitely. You can compromise and take the once/week kind: mefloquine. That will also cut down on the yeast infections that are possible with doxocycline. And we're getting them at home to be on the safe side.

SteamBuff · Jan 15th, 2007, 22:24

It is not a compromise .. all types are effective ... it is what suits you the best.

Consult with your doctor and make sure you understand the side-effects of them. Larium does not suit everybody.

Dave

Barbara Martyn · Jan 15th, 2007, 22:27

All types of malaria pills are not effective. The US Center for Disease Control specifically says Chloroquine is inadequate in the Indian Subcontinent. Beware, if you want malaria pills.

machadinha · Jan 15th, 2007, 22:28

I agree though that taking a once-a-week type isn't a compromise, it's just a different pill with its own regime.

If you get adequate advice you shouldn't end up with something that's not prescribed for a certain area. I'm sure it happens though. My guess would be it's even more likely to happen using the web for self-medication.

SteamBuff · Jan 15th, 2007, 22:42

In the UK "Chloroquine+Paludrine" is the recommended anti-malerial for India EXCEPT in/near Assam where it is recommended you take either Lariam or Malarone or Doxycycline.

In all cases you should also take mozzi bite prevention methods, as all anti-malerials will not give you 100% protection. (I think 85% seems the average)

cyberhippie · Jan 16th, 2007, 02:51

Barbera and steambuff, it's the COMBINATION that makes all the difference!!
There is some resitance to Chloroquine in India so the combination og Chloroquine + Paludrine is necessary.

This isn't sanctioned by the FDA so you won't find it recommended on American health sites!!

the WHO and many European medical bodies are fine with the combination so sleep easy!

Barbara Martyn · Jan 16th, 2007, 03:10

The cheapest of the lot is Doxocycline, but that's once a day, and females are prone to yeast infections from it. Mefloquine, being a once/week and, as fas as I know, the only once/week, seems a no-brainer to me. Malaron, as some mentioned, is also a once/day, and being a brand i.e. not geneeric, is quite expensive. I'd rather do once/week than a daily or a combination.

cyberhippie · Jan 16th, 2007, 03:12

Fair enough just be careful you don't go mental!!

Barbara Martyn · Jan 16th, 2007, 03:13

Already too late for that!

cyberhippie · Jan 16th, 2007, 03:15

Well you're at the right place and headed for the right destination!

SteamBuff · Jan 16th, 2007, 03:33

Hope you have a nice holiday ... and remember to take those pills !!!

Malarone is very expensive and in the UK is only licensed for 28 days travel, but it has one other advantage over the others, you only have to take it for 7 days (not the usual 28) when you come back.

Barbara Martyn · Jan 16th, 2007, 03:39

The dosage for Mefloquine is one/week, start the week before you leave, and take one/week for four weeks after you get back. A total of 10 pills. Not so bad. I already have to take a slew of other pills to keep me upright and (mostly) sentient. This is OK. After all the prepping, I'm getting itchy to leave. Four more weeks.... Now for those train reservations - a brain twister if ever there was one, even with Steven_Ber's help!

monkgonemad · Jan 30th, 2007, 06:41

someone should do another poll of really experienced travelers. i bet it would look different.

i just use spray and take precautions.

camelgirl · Jan 30th, 2007, 22:17

That's an interesting idea. I suspect even experienced travelers will have widely differing opinions. Like they do on everything here on IM

I've taken every kind of malaria med known to medicine since I started traveling in 1970 and never had any side effects.

Others never take anything and do fine. Others don't take anything and get malaria (many, many travelers get malaria. I just read a report of a few tourists in Goa who got it this past Dec. and Jan.) I've a good friend who never took it because he spends up to 2 years working in a place and never had a problem for 20 years then was within hours of dying from cerebral malaria after working in Somalia. He recovered but it took a month in hospital and many more months.

I guess if I was living a long time somewhere malarial, I'd do the bednet with permethrin and lots of Deet (or recently approved by the CDC. Picaridin insect repellant) Can't imagine many continuous months of those meds.

Barbara Martyn · Jan 30th, 2007, 22:37

I just went to see our doctor to get meds for our upcoming trip to India. He had recently seen a guy who'd come back from there. The man had typhoid, malaria and salmonella. Now that is what I call bad luck, or belief in blind luck! He said the guy was "quite sick". I guess...

View Poll Results: Malaria Protection for 7 Month trip: What would you choose?
Take medication the whole time - I am not risking it!	67	24.45%
Mitigate your risk by taking meds only in the most high risk areas	70	25.55%
Not take any meds for such a long period - too harsh on the system! Deet it up: Bug spray only.	79	28.83%
I would consult a local doctor in India but not bring meds.	23	8.39%
Karma will protect me: Nothing.	35	12.77%
Voters: 274. You may not vote on this poll

Jan 15th, 2007, 22:28	#34
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,917	I agree though that taking a once-a-week type isn't a compromise, it's just a different pill with its own regime. If you get adequate advice you shouldn't end up with something that's not prescribed for a certain area. I'm sure it happens though. My guess would be it's even more likely to happen using the web for self-medication. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Jan 16th, 2007, 03:39	#42
Barbara Martyn tuxie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Washington, USA Posts: 111	malaria pills The dosage for Mefloquine is one/week, start the week before you leave, and take one/week for four weeks after you get back. A total of 10 pills. Not so bad. I already have to take a slew of other pills to keep me upright and (mostly) sentient. This is OK. After all the prepping, I'm getting itchy to leave. Four more weeks.... Now for those train reservations - a brain twister if ever there was one, even with Steven_Ber's help!

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Jan 15th, 2007, 22:17	#31
Barbara Martyn tuxie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Washington, USA Posts: 111	We're taking malaria pills. Definitely. You can compromise and take the once/week kind: mefloquine. That will also cut down on the yeast infections that are possible with doxocycline. And we're getting them at home to be on the safe side.

Jan 15th, 2007, 22:24	#32
SteamBuff Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Essex, Endland Posts: 370	It is not a compromise .. all types are effective ... it is what suits you the best. Consult with your doctor and make sure you understand the side-effects of them. Larium does not suit everybody. Dave

Jan 15th, 2007, 22:27	#33
Barbara Martyn tuxie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Washington, USA Posts: 111	All types of malaria pills are not effective. The US Center for Disease Control specifically says Chloroquine is inadequate in the Indian Subcontinent. Beware, if you want malaria pills.

Jan 15th, 2007, 22:42	#35
SteamBuff Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Essex, Endland Posts: 370	In the UK "Chloroquine+Paludrine" is the recommended anti-malerial for India EXCEPT in/near Assam where it is recommended you take either Lariam or Malarone or Doxycycline. In all cases you should also take mozzi bite prevention methods, as all anti-malerials will not give you 100% protection. (I think 85% seems the average)

Jan 16th, 2007, 02:51	#36
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Barbera and steambuff, it's the COMBINATION that makes all the difference!! There is some resitance to Chloroquine in India so the combination og Chloroquine + Paludrine is necessary. This isn't sanctioned by the FDA so you won't find it recommended on American health sites!! the WHO and many European medical bodies are fine with the combination so sleep easy!

Jan 16th, 2007, 03:10	#37
Barbara Martyn tuxie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Washington, USA Posts: 111	The cheapest of the lot is Doxocycline, but that's once a day, and females are prone to yeast infections from it. Mefloquine, being a once/week and, as fas as I know, the only once/week, seems a no-brainer to me. Malaron, as some mentioned, is also a once/day, and being a brand i.e. not geneeric, is quite expensive. I'd rather do once/week than a daily or a combination.

Jan 16th, 2007, 03:12	#38
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Fair enough just be careful you don't go mental!!

Jan 16th, 2007, 03:13	#39
Barbara Martyn tuxie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Washington, USA Posts: 111	Already too late for that!

Jan 16th, 2007, 03:15	#40
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Well you're at the right place and headed for the right destination!

Jan 16th, 2007, 03:33	#41
SteamBuff Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Essex, Endland Posts: 370	Hope you have a nice holiday ... and remember to take those pills !!! Malarone is very expensive and in the UK is only licensed for 28 days travel, but it has one other advantage over the others, you only have to take it for 7 days (not the usual 28) when you come back.

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Jan 30th, 2007, 06:41	#43
monkgonemad Aimless Drifter, Shiftless Idler, Useless Waster Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: SoEastAsia/AsiaSubCont Posts: 416	someone should do another poll of really experienced travelers. i bet it would look different. i just use spray and take precautions.

Jan 30th, 2007, 22:17	#44
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 1,082	That's an interesting idea. I suspect even experienced travelers will have widely differing opinions. Like they do on everything here on IM I've taken every kind of malaria med known to medicine since I started traveling in 1970 and never had any side effects. Others never take anything and do fine. Others don't take anything and get malaria (many, many travelers get malaria. I just read a report of a few tourists in Goa who got it this past Dec. and Jan.) I've a good friend who never took it because he spends up to 2 years working in a place and never had a problem for 20 years then was within hours of dying from cerebral malaria after working in Somalia. He recovered but it took a month in hospital and many more months. I guess if I was living a long time somewhere malarial, I'd do the bednet with permethrin and lots of Deet (or recently approved by the CDC. Picaridin insect repellant) Can't imagine many continuous months of those meds.

Jan 30th, 2007, 22:37	#45
Barbara Martyn tuxie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Washington, USA Posts: 111	I just went to see our doctor to get meds for our upcoming trip to India. He had recently seen a guy who'd come back from there. The man had typhoid, malaria and salmonella. Now that is what I call bad luck, or belief in blind luck! He said the guy was "quite sick". I guess...