What to know about malaria prophylaxis in travellers

Prophylaxis is preventive treatment, not a cure for malaria. The suitable medicine depends on the destination, local resistance patterns, trip length, activities and your health. Pregnancy, childhood, kidney or liver disease, mental health history, allergies and other medicines can change the choice.

Some regimens begin before departure and continue during the trip and after leaving the risk area. Others have different schedules. Missing doses can reduce protection, while nausea, headache, sleep changes or skin reactions may occur with some medicines. A clinician can explain which effects are expected and which require a review.

Seek travel advice early with your full itinerary and a list of medicines and supplements. Take the prescribed product exactly as directed, use reminders and keep it in its original packaging. Ask what to do after vomiting a dose, missing a dose or changing your route. Do not share tablets or use leftover medicine from a previous trip.

Combine prophylaxis with repellent, covered clothing, screened or air-conditioned accommodation and a treated bed net where appropriate. No preventive medicine removes the need to avoid bites. Carry your travel advice and know how to access medical care at your destination.

Seek urgent medical assessment for fever, chills, severe headache, vomiting or marked illness during travel or after returning from a malaria-risk area, even if you took prophylaxis. Tell the clinician your destinations, travel dates and the medicine used. Emergency symptoms include confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, seizures or inability to keep fluids down.

Ask which preventive option fits your itinerary and medical history, when to start and stop it, how to handle a missed dose and whether it interacts with contraception or regular medicines. Ask which side effects should prompt a change and where to seek help abroad.