Malaria Prevention Online

Malaria Medication for Prevention

Malaria prophylaxis, sometimes referred to as malaria prevention medication, consists of specific medications that reduce the risk that one will contract malaria if exposed to it while traveling. Push Health can connect people in need of a malaria medication prescription with local medical providers who can prescribe malaria pills if it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Malaria Prevention - Overview

Malaria prevention involves taking malaria pills before, during and after one is in a geographic area in which malaria is endemic. The idea is that the specific malaria medication will prevent malaria from taking hold as an active infection in the blood. Common medications used in malaria prevention include Malarone (atovaquone / proguanil hydrochloride), doxycycline (Vibramycin), and Larium (mefloquine). Chloroquine used to be another malaria prevention medication but widespread resistance to it is has diminished its utility although hydroxychloroquine may be used in treating some uncomplicated malaria cases. The choice of the malaria medication used depends on the specific health profile of the patient, the destinations of travel, cost and other factors.

Malaria Medication - Malarone

Malarone is the brand name for a malaria medication that contains atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride as the active ingredients. Malarone tablets are prescribed so that they are taken before, during and after one is at risk for a malaria infection based on destinations of travel. This type of prophylaxis is preferred by many people because it requires a shorter duration of use after travel and is tolerated well by most people.

Doxycycline for Malaria Prevention

Doxycycline is an antibiotic that is sometimes used in malaria prevention. Doxycycline is a type of antibiotic that is typically taken daily when one is using it to reduce the likelihood of getting malaria and are usually set so that one takes the medicine before, during and after being in an at-risk area for malaria.

Larium for Malaria Prophylaxis

Larium contains the active ingredient mefloquine hydrochloride. One advantage of Larium for malaria prophylaxis is that it only has to be taken orally once per week. Larium is also inexpensive relative to other types of malaria pills. Unfortunately, when Larium is used as an antimalarial medication, it can cause bad dreams and and hallucinations. Larium / mefloquine should not be used in people with mood disorders and can also cause heart arrhythmias.

People traveling at altitude also sometimes take acetazolamide (Diamox) to help reduce the risk of altitude sickness.

Malaria Pills - Side Effects

Malaria prevention medications, like all medicines, can cause allergic reactions in some people. Additionally, malaria pills can also cause other side effects such as stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, skin sensitivity and rash, and other problems. Prior to starting a malaria prevention medication, one should consult one's medical provider and pharmacist to discuss side effects of this sort of malaria treatment. Certain people with significant risk factors may need customized malaria prophylaxis treatment.

Malaria Prevention - Prescriptions Online

One cannot simply buy malaria pills online as the medications used for malaria treatment require a prescription from a licensed medical provider before they can be dispensed by a pharmacy. Malaria pills OTC (over the counter) are not available, either. Push Health helps people who are seeking malaria prevention pills get a malaria prescription from an online medical provider when appropriate to do so.