Choosing the right anti malaria tablets depends on several key factors, including your destination, the duration of your trip, your medical history, and any medications you are currently taking. There are four main antimalarial medications available in the UK — atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone), doxycycline, mefloquine (Lariam), and chloroquine with or without proguanil — each with different dosing schedules, side effect profiles, and suitability for different destinations. No single antimalarial is right for everyone, and a professional assessment is essential to ensure you receive the most appropriate option for your individual circumstances. At Perfect Meds, our GPhC-regulated pharmacists provide expert, personalised travel health consultations to help you make the right choice before you travel, ensuring you are protected from the moment you arrive at your destination.
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Key takeaways
–> The right anti malaria tablets for you will depend on your destination, the specific malaria strains present there, your medical history, and any existing medications — making a professional consultation essential before travel.
–> Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone) is one of the most commonly prescribed options for travellers due to its short pre- and post-travel dosing schedule and generally well-tolerated side effect profile.
–> Doxycycline is a cost-effective alternative that also provides some protection against other infections, though it requires daily dosing and can cause increased sun sensitivity.
–> Mefloquine (Lariam) is taken once weekly and suits longer trips, but is not recommended for those with a history of certain mental health conditions due to potential neuropsychiatric side effects.
–> Malaria is a potentially life-threatening disease transmitted by mosquito bites, and no antimalarial provides 100% protection — bite prevention measures should always be used alongside tablets.
–> Anti malaria tablets are available through registered pharmacies in the UK and are not routinely available on the NHS for travel purposes, so it is important to plan ahead and allow enough time to begin your course before departure.
The Importance of Malaria Prevention
Malaria is a serious and potentially fatal infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. The disease is widespread across much of sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Central and South America, and parts of the Middle East and Pacific region. According to the WHO World Malaria Report 2023, there were an estimated 249 million cases of malaria globally in 2022, resulting in approximately 608,000 deaths — the majority of which occurred in children under five in Africa.
Symptoms of malaria typically develop between seven and eighteen days after the infective mosquito bite and include high fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and nausea. If left untreated — or if treatment is delayed — malaria can progress rapidly to severe illness, causing organ failure, coma, and death. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical, but for travellers visiting malaria-endemic regions, prevention through the correct use of anti malaria tablets and bite avoidance measures is by far the safest and most effective strategy.
Anti Malaria Tablets Available in the UK
There are several antimalarial medications licensed for use in the UK, each working in a different way to prevent malaria infection. The most appropriate choice for any individual traveller will depend on a careful assessment of their destination, health status, and personal circumstances. Below is an overview of the main options currently available.
| Antimalarial | Dosing | Treatment Period | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atovaquone/Proguanil (Malarone) | Once daily | Start 1–2 days before travel and continue for 7 days after return | Short trips and most destinations |
| Doxycycline | Once daily | Start 1–2 days before travel and continue for 4 weeks after return | Budget-conscious travellers and longer trips |
| Mefloquine (Lariam) | Once weekly | Start 2–3 weeks before travel and continue for 4 weeks after return | Longer trips and remote areas |
| Chloroquine + Proguanil | Weekly and daily | Start 1 week before travel and continue for 4 weeks after return | Limited resistance areas only |
It is important to note that chloroquine resistance is now widespread in most malaria-endemic regions, meaning chloroquine-based options are only suitable for a small number of destinations. A qualified pharmacist or travel health professional will be able to advise on which medication is effective for the specific strains of malaria present at your destination.
With several anti malaria tablet options available, getting professional advice before you travel is the safest and most effective approach. Call us to speak to one of our pharmacists and get personalised malaria advice today.
How to Choose the Right Anti Malaria Tablets for Your Trip
The process of selecting the most appropriate anti malaria tablets begins with a thorough travel health assessment. Your pharmacist or travel health professional will consider a range of factors before making a recommendation. Your destination is the primary consideration — different regions have different malaria strains with varying levels of drug resistance, and the most effective medication varies accordingly. For example, Malarone and doxycycline are effective across most destinations, whilst chloroquine-based options are now limited to a small number of low-resistance areas.
Your medical history plays an equally important role. Doxycycline is unsuitable for pregnant women and children under twelve, and should be used with caution by those with a history of oesophageal conditions. Mefloquine is contraindicated in travellers with a history of seizures, depression, anxiety disorders, or other mental health conditions, and requires a longer lead time before departure. Atovaquone/proguanil is generally well tolerated but is not recommended during pregnancy, whilst breastfeeding, or for those with a creatinine clearance below 30ml/min. Discussing your full medical history and any current medications with a pharmacist is essential to ensure the chosen antimalarial is both safe and effective for you.
When to Start Taking Anti Malaria Tablets
The timing of when to begin your antimalarial course varies depending on which medication is prescribed. Atovaquone/proguanil and doxycycline both require only one to two days of pre-travel dosing, making them practical options for travellers who have left preparations until close to their departure date. Mefloquine, however, must be started two to three weeks before travel — not only to build up protective levels in the body, but also to allow enough time to identify and manage any side effects before you depart.
Continuing your antimalarial medication after returning home is just as important as taking it before and during travel. This is because malaria parasites can remain dormant in the liver for a period after the infective bite, and continuing the course ensures that any parasites that entered the body during travel are eliminated. Failing to complete the full post-travel course is one of the most common reasons travellers develop malaria after returning to the UK, so it is important to follow the prescribed schedule in full, even once you are home.
Combining Bite Prevention with Anti Malaria Tablets
Whilst anti malaria tablets significantly reduce the risk of contracting malaria, it is important to understand that no antimalarial medication provides 100% protection on its own. Bite prevention measures are a critical part of any malaria prevention strategy and should always be used alongside tablets. The Anopheles mosquito — responsible for malaria transmission — bites primarily between dusk and dawn, making this period the highest risk time of day for travellers.
Key bite prevention measures include applying an effective insect repellent containing DEET (at least 50% concentration) to exposed skin, wearing loose-fitting long-sleeved clothing and trousers in the evenings, sleeping under a permethrin-treated mosquito net where air conditioning is unavailable, and using insecticide sprays or plug-in devices in sleeping areas. Following these measures consistently and in combination with the appropriate anti malaria tablets gives travellers the best possible protection against this serious disease.
Taking care of your malaria prevention before departure is essential, and our pharmacists are here to make the process as easy as possible. Contact us to book a travel health appointment and set off on your trip knowing your health is fully protected.
Where to Get Anti Malaria Tablets in the UK
Anti malaria tablets are not routinely available on the NHS for travel purposes and must be obtained through a private prescription or over the counter from a registered pharmacy. The cost varies depending on which medication is prescribed and the length of your course. Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone) is generally the most expensive option, whilst doxycycline is typically the most affordable. It is worth factoring the cost of antimalarials into your overall travel health budget when planning a trip to a malaria-endemic region.
Given the importance of starting some antimalarials well in advance of travel — and the need for a proper assessment before any prescription is issued — it is essential to seek advice as early as possible before your departure date. Leaving travel health preparations until the last minute can limit your options and increase the risk of being unable to complete the required course before you travel. A registered pharmacist can conduct a full travel health consultation, issue a private prescription where appropriate, and dispense your antimalarials in a single convenient appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anti malaria tablets can feel complicated, but getting the right information does not have to be. We have put together answers to the most common questions to help every traveller make a well-informed decision about their malaria prevention before they depart.
Do I need anti malaria tablets for every trip abroad?
Not for every destination — anti malaria tablets are only recommended for travel to countries and regions where malaria is present, and the level of risk varies considerably between destinations. A travel health professional can advise on whether your specific destination and itinerary warrants antimalarial medication.
Can I take anti malaria tablets if I am pregnant?
Pregnancy significantly affects which antimalarials can be safely used — doxycycline and mefloquine are generally not recommended during pregnancy, and atovaquone/proguanil is also not routinely advised. Chloroquine with proguanil may be considered for some destinations, but any decision about antimalarial use during pregnancy must be made in close consultation with a doctor or pharmacist.
Can anti malaria tablets cause side effects?
All antimalarial medications can cause side effects, though the type and severity vary between individuals and between medications. Common side effects include nausea, headache, and gastrointestinal upset, whilst mefloquine is associated with a risk of neuropsychiatric side effects including vivid dreams, anxiety, and mood changes in a small number of users.
Is one anti malaria tablet more effective than another?
The effectiveness of any antimalarial depends largely on the destination and the specific strains of malaria present there — no single medication is universally superior to all others. Atovaquone/proguanil and doxycycline are both highly effective against the most dangerous strain of malaria (Plasmodium falciparum) in most regions, but a pharmacist should always assess which is most appropriate for your specific itinerary.
What should I do if I develop symptoms of malaria after returning home?
If you develop a fever, chills, headache, or flu-like symptoms after returning from a malaria-endemic region, you should seek urgent medical attention and inform the doctor or healthcare professional of your recent travel history. Malaria can be fatal if not treated promptly, and symptoms can appear up to 12 months or more after returning home — particularly with certain strains of malaria such as Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale — so it is important not to dismiss any unexplained fever following travel to a high-risk area.
Can children take anti malaria tablets?
Yes, children can take antimalarial medication, but the choice of drug and the appropriate dose are based on the child’s weight rather than age, and not all antimalarials are suitable for young children. Atovaquone/proguanil is licensed for children weighing 11kg or more, whilst doxycycline is only suitable for children aged twelve and over — a pharmacist or GP should always be consulted before giving antimalarials to a child.
Anti Malaria Tablets Made Simple
Before heading to a malaria-endemic region, ensuring you have the right anti malaria tablets is one of the most critical travel health decisions you will make. With several options available — each with different efficacy profiles, dosing schedules, and suitability criteria — a one-size-fits-all approach simply does not work when it comes to malaria prevention. Taking the time to get a proper professional assessment before you travel could make a significant difference to your health and safety while you are away.
At Perfect Meds, our GPhC-regulated pharmacists are experienced in providing comprehensive travel health consultations, helping you navigate the available options and make a confident, informed choice about your antimalarial medication. From assessing your destination and medical history to prescribing and dispensing your tablets, we make the entire process straightforward and stress-free. Book now to arrange your travel health consultation and set off on your next adventure with the protection you need.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual circumstances vary, and you should always speak to a qualified medical professional or pharmacist before starting any vaccination, treatment, or health programme. If you have any concerns about your health or suitability for any medication, please consult your GP or a registered healthcare provider before proceeding.
