QUESTION How long does it take for the side effects of Lariam to disappear? ANSWER The manufacturers of Lariam report that it can take a "long" time for side effects to disappear, though they don't specify an exact time frame. While most people cease to experience side effects within a few days or weeks of stopping taking the drug (the half-life of the medication in the body is about … [Read more...]
Medicines to Prevent Malaria?
QUESTION Which medicines are used to prevent malaria? ANSWER There are a number of drugs used to prevent malaria infection, known as malaria prophylactic medication. These vary in terms of how they are taken, how long they are taken for, how much they cost and the typical side effects people experience while they are taking them. In addition, some are recommended more highly for certain … [Read more...]
Anti-Malarial Tablets for Kenya
QUESTION Which are the best tablets to take against malaria in Kenya? Is there a malaria vaccination? ANSWER I'll answer your second question first—no, there does not yet exist a commercially available malaria vaccine. Currently, one promising vaccine candidate is undergoing Phase 3 clinical trials in children in sub-Saharan Africa; recently published preliminary findings suggest … [Read more...]
Malaria prophylaxis
QUESTION: What name brand medicine should you take if you are traveling to area where malaria is present? ANSWER: That depends on a few factors, such as where exactly you are going, whether you have had bad experiences with any malaria preventative drugs (prophylactics) in the past, and how much money you want to spend! Common brand names of malaria prophylactic drugs include Lariam … [Read more...]
Malaria Prevention for Seniors
QUESTION: I am a healthy senior citizen (73 years) and I am considering a trip with Semester at Sea. One of the ports they plan to visit is Ghana. I see the CDC says Ghana is a "high risk" area for malaria. I think I remember being told (at the U of W Travel Medicine Clinic) a few years ago that the malaria drugs are problematic for Seniors. With the Semester at Sea ship stopping at … [Read more...]
Lariam Legacy
In 1990, Lariam (mefloquine) became the drug of choice for malaria prevention. It was endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and prescribed for travelers, government workers, and the U.S. military who were going to regions where malaria was present. It was even given to airline crews who flew to malaria regions. Mefloquine has been responsible for psychotic breakdowns, suicides and … [Read more...]
Malaria Treatment
Malaria can be a severe, potentially fatal disease (especially when caused by Plasmodium falciparum) and treatment should be initiated as soon as possible. Patients who have severe P. falciparum malaria or who cannot take oral medications should be given the treatment by continuous intravenous infusion. Most drugs used in treatment are active against the parasite forms in the blood (the form … [Read more...]