Malaria Prevention

Treatments available via Online Clinic

To order this treatment, you will need to complete a brief online consultation. One of our certified prescribers will review your assessment. If approved, they will issue a private prescription, and our pharmacy team will dispense and ship your medication directly to your door.

Treatments available via Online Clinic
Doxycycline Tablets
Malarone Tablets
Malarone Peadiatric Tablets
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Frequently Asked Questions: Malaria & Travel Prevention

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Discover our range of malaria prevention medicines to protect yourself and your loved ones from this serious condition.

What exactly is malaria, and how do you catch it?

Malaria is a serious and potentially life-threatening tropical disease caused by a microscopic parasite called Plasmodium. It is not caught directly from another person; instead, it is spread through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. These mosquitoes generally bite between dusk and dawn.

Once inside your body, the parasite travels to your liver to multiply before entering your bloodstream to destroy red blood cells.

What are the main malaria prevention tablets available?

If you are travelling to a malaria-endemic region, you will typically be prescribed one of three main options:

  • Atovaquone/Proguanil (commonly known as Malarone): A daily tablet that targets the parasite while it is still in the liver. It is highly effective and popular for short trips because you only need to take it for 1–2 days before you go, and just 7 days after you return.

  • Doxycycline: A daily broad-spectrum antibiotic that kills the parasite in the bloodstream. It is highly cost-effective for longer trips, but it must be taken for 4 weeks after returning home and can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.

  • Mefloquine (commonly known as Lariam): A weekly tablet, which is convenient for extended travel. However, it must be started 2–3 weeks before travel to check for tolerance and is not suitable for anyone with a history of mental health conditions.

When should I start and stop taking my malaria tablets?

⚠️ Critical Compliance Rule: You cannot just take malaria tablets while you are away. You must start taking them before you enter the risk area and continue taking them for a specific window after you return home.

The exact timeline depends entirely on the drug prescribed. Continuing the medication after your trip ensures that any dormant parasites picked up right before you boarded your flight home are successfully killed before they can multiply. Missing doses drastically reduces your protection.

Do malaria prevention tablets make me 100% immune?

No antimalarial tablet provides 100% complete immunity. While they are incredibly effective (reducing your risk by over 90%), you must still practice absolute bite avoidance. Medical experts recommend the ABCD approach:

  • Awareness of the risk

  • Bite prevention (using 50% DEET insect repellent, wearing long clothing, and sleeping under treated nets)

  • Chemoprophylaxis (taking your prescribed tablets correctly)

  • Diagnose promptly if you fall ill

What are the symptoms of malaria, and what should I do if I feel sick?

Malaria symptoms can feel very similar to a severe flu, a bad cold, or stomach bugs. Look out for a high temperature (fever), sweats and chills, headaches, vomiting, muscle pains, or diarrhea.

Symptoms can appear anywhere from 7 days to a full year after leaving a malaria-risk zone. If you develop a fever or flu-like symptoms after travelling, you must treat it as a medical emergency. See a doctor immediately and explicitly state that you have recently travelled to a malaria-risk region.