Malaria tablets

[Deleted dude 7861]

I'm off to Senegal/Gambia soon and on previous visits to malaria risk areas I have taken Doxyclycline, I've travelled lots and all the others seems to cause anything from dizziness to sickness and ruin trips for me. My doctor is being a pain and will not prescribe Doxyclycline, I'm not happy as this seems to be the most harmless one of the lot and I know it doesn't affect me in any way. Is there any way of getting this from another source? I think it's prescription only and was wondering about going to another doctor. I just don't want my holiday ruined be feeling crap but ultimately I don't want the risk of malaria as that would be very stupid.

Anyone have any left? Just sooo annoyed with my doc!

 

[John Fenna]

See another doctor!
I have used Doxy in Ghana, South Africa and Thailand with no ill effects - though I have seen some horrible photo sensitivity issues effect some folk.
It seems that if you have used it once without probs you should be OK on future use as well.
I have been bitten by mozzies in all areas (?!) but have kept Malaria free - so far.
Larium and Malerone have more commonly felt side effects it seems ranging from psychosis to general malaise....
I will be using Doxy again for this summers exped!
It also clears my spots up a treat.....

 

[Deleted dude 7861]

Yep will see another Doc as I've no idea why some prescribe different malaria tablets to others. At the end of the day there's no medical reason not to take it so was very surprised when the something else was almost forced upon me and doxy scorned. I last used doxy a few years ago with no affects at all but since taken others that had affected me so really want to go back to doxy.

 

[Doc]

The choice of antimalarial drug is influenced by where the patient is going. For instance, I wouldn't prescribe Chloroquine for someone going to Bolivia as there is a lot of chloroquine resistance in that area.

However, doxycycline is one of the recommended drugs for Senegal and and Gambia, so it should be a reasonable choice, given that you have had it before without incident, and assuming you are not on any other drugs that interact with it, you're over 12, in otherwise good health and not pregnant or breastfeeding.

As mentioned, in some people it sensitises the skin to sunlight.

Doxycycline is a prescription only medicine and I would advise against obtaining it from the various questionable 'internet pharmacies'. It might not be doxycycline.

 

[h2o]

change doctor

 

[mrstorey]

I took Doxycycline for Nepal and N. India, and had no side effects. I asked for it again when I went to Kerala recently, but they advised against it for Southern India. So I took an Avoclor/Paladrine combo instead and, apart from feeling crappy on the first day, haven't had any side effects. So that gets the Storey seal of approval but, as everyone else has pointed out, the important thing is to get something that is appropriate for the area you're visiting.

Here's a little light reading ;-)
http://www.who.int/drugresistance/publications/WHO_CDS_CSR_DRS_2001_4/en/index.html

 

[dave k]

I've taken doxycycline for over a year, and not had any side-affects.. I take it for Roseace however.

 

[Deleted dude 7861]

Thanks 'Doc' that sheds some light on the matter I didn't realise that some areas had built up resistance to certain types, if you think Doxy is ok for Senegal/Gambia then I will go back and try for that one. Not really a fan of taking any sort of tablets but obviously don't want to risk malaria.

Thanks 'mrstorey' for the info