What should you know about prophylactic malaria drugs?

Malaria is caused by parasites spread through bites from infected mosquitoes. Preventive medicine works alongside bite avoidance; it does not replace long sleeves, insect repellent, screened rooms or bed nets. A travel clinician considers the malaria risk in each area, your itinerary, pregnancy or breastfeeding, kidney or liver problems, mental health history, allergies and medicines you already use.

Different medicines have different dosing schedules and possible effects. Some need to begin before departure, while others are started closer to the trip. Taking doses at the prescribed times matters, and prevention may need to continue after leaving the risk area. A [Travel Health Consultation](/treatments/occupational-and-travel-medicine/travel-health-consultation/) can help match the plan to your route.

Arrange advice well before travel so there is time to check your medical history, obtain the medicine and discuss how to handle a missed dose or vomiting. Keep the medicine in its original packaging and follow the instructions supplied for that specific product. Do not share tablets or use leftover medicine from another trip.

Use mosquito precautions throughout the visit, including at dawn, dusk and night when relevant to the destination. Carry a record of your itinerary and medication list. The [Malaria Prophylaxis](/treatments/occupational-and-travel-medicine/malaria-prophylaxis/) service can review destination-specific prevention.

Seek prompt medical assessment for fever, chills, sweats, headache or muscle aches during travel or after returning from a malaria-risk area, even if you took preventive medicine. Malaria can become serious quickly, and prevention does not rule it out. Tell the clinician where you travelled and when you returned.

Urgent care is appropriate if fever is accompanied by confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, repeated vomiting or marked weakness. A [Blood Test](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/blood-test/) may be used to check for malaria and guide treatment.

Ask which medicine fits your route, when to start and stop it, what side effects need attention, and whether your regular medicines or health conditions change the choice. Confirm what to do if you miss a dose or develop symptoms.