Malaria is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes, and it remains a significant risk in many popular travel destinations across Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and the Middle East. Fortunately, malaria is largely preventable, and with the right malaria tablets combined with sensible precautions, the risk of infection can be significantly reduced. Whether you are planning a holiday, visiting family, or travelling for work, getting the right antimalarial advice before you go is one of the most important steps you can take. At Luxtons Pharmacy in Exeter, our travel health specialists are on hand to assess your individual risk and recommend the most suitable malaria tablets for your specific destination and itinerary — quickly, professionally, and without the need for a GP appointment.
Book a consultation with our team today and let our travel health specialists at Luxtons Pharmacy help you prepare for your trip with confidence.
Key Takeaways
✔ Malaria tablets are recommended for travel to many destinations in Africa, Asia, and the Americas — but not every destination requires them.
✔ There are several types of antimalarial medication available, and the right one depends on your destination, health, and travel plans.
✔ Malaria tablets must be started before you travel — some require up to three weeks of preparation in advance.
✔ Antimalarials are most effective when combined with mosquito bite prevention measures such as repellents, nets, and appropriate clothing.
✔ Our pharmacists at Luxtons Pharmacy can provide a full travel health consultation and supply malaria tablets without a GP referral.
✔ It is important to complete the full course of your malaria tablets, including after you return home.
What Are Malaria Tablets and How Do They Work?
Malaria tablets, also known as antimalarials or antimalarial prophylaxis, are medications taken to prevent malaria infection when travelling to high-risk areas. They work by targeting the malaria parasite at different stages of its lifecycle — either preventing it from taking hold in the body after a mosquito bite, or stopping it from multiplying in the bloodstream. It is important to understand that no antimalarial is 100% effective, which is why bite prevention measures are equally essential when travelling in malaria-risk regions.
The most commonly prescribed malaria tablets in the UK include atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone), doxycycline, mefloquine (Lariam), and chloroquine with or without proguanil. Each works differently and carries its own set of considerations in terms of dosing schedule, potential side effects, and suitability for different individuals. This is why a personalised travel health consultation — rather than a one-size-fits-all approach — is so important.
Which Malaria Tablets Are Right for You?
Choosing the right antimalarial is not a decision to be made lightly or based solely on what a friend or family member has taken previously. A number of personal and travel-specific factors will influence which malaria tablets are right for you, including your destination, the length of your trip, your age and weight, any existing medical conditions, your current medications, and whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone) is one of the most widely used options due to its short pre- and post-travel dosing schedule and relatively low incidence of side effects. Doxycycline is a cost-effective alternative that also provides protection against certain other travel-related infections, though it requires daily dosing and can increase sun sensitivity — an important consideration for beach holidays. Mefloquine is taken weekly and suits longer trips, but it is not suitable for everyone and requires careful screening. Your pharmacist will take all of these factors into account when making a recommendation tailored specifically to you.
Planning a trip to a malaria-risk destination? Contact us to get expert advice before you travel.
When Should You Start Taking Malaria Tablets?
Timing is crucial when it comes to antimalarial medication, and this is one of the most common areas where travellers make mistakes. Atovaquone/proguanil should be started one to two days before entering a malaria-risk area, while doxycycline requires two days of lead time. Mefloquine, on the other hand, should ideally be started two to three weeks before travel — both to ensure adequate protection and to allow time to identify any adverse reactions before your departure date.
After returning home, it is equally important not to stop your tablets prematurely. Depending on the type prescribed, you may need to continue taking them for up to four weeks after leaving the malaria-risk area. Stopping early is one of the most common reasons travellers develop malaria after returning to the UK, so completing your full course is non-negotiable.
Planning ahead is the key to safe travel, and knowing which vaccinations and antimalarials you need starts with your destination. Use our quick travel health checker below to find out what protection is recommended for where you are heading:
Malaria Tablets and Bite Prevention — A Combined Approach
Even the most effective malaria tablets are not a guarantee against infection, which is why antimalarial medication should always be used as part of a broader prevention strategy. Wearing loose, long-sleeved clothing in the evenings, using a DEET-based insect repellent, sleeping under a mosquito net — ideally one treated with insecticide — and staying in accommodation with adequate screens or air conditioning all significantly reduce your risk of being bitten in the first place.
During your travel health consultation at Luxtons Pharmacy, our team will discuss all of these precautions with you in detail, ensuring you are fully equipped to protect yourself from malaria and other mosquito-borne illnesses throughout your trip.
Call us to book a consultation with our team and get comprehensive bite prevention advice alongside your malaria tablets from our specialist team in Exeter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some of the questions we are most commonly asked by travellers visiting our team in Exeter ahead of their trips to malaria-risk destinations.
Do I definitely need malaria tablets for my destination?
Not all destinations carry a malaria risk, and requirements can vary significantly even within the same country depending on the regions you plan to visit. Our pharmacists will assess your specific itinerary and advise whether antimalarial medication is recommended for your trip.
Can I buy malaria tablets over the counter without a prescription?
Some antimalarials, such as atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone) and chloroquine, are available to purchase from a pharmacy without a prescription, while others such as doxycycline and mefloquine require one. During your travel health consultation at Luxtons Pharmacy, our pharmacists will assess your individual needs and ensure you leave with the right medication for your trip.
Are malaria tablets safe to take during pregnancy?
Some antimalarials are not recommended during pregnancy, and ideally travel to high-risk malaria areas should be avoided if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Where travel is necessary, our pharmacists will carefully advise on the most appropriate antimalarial medication and ensure you are fully informed about the extra steps you can take to stay safe.
What are the most common side effects of malaria tablets?
Side effects vary depending on the type of antimalarial taken — for example, doxycycline can cause nausea and increased sun sensitivity, while mefloquine has been associated with vivid dreams and, in rare cases, neuropsychiatric effects. Your pharmacist will discuss the potential side effects of any medication recommended for you and advise on how to minimise them.
Can children take malaria tablets?
Yes, most antimalarials are suitable for children, though dosing is based on weight and some options are not recommended for very young children. Our pharmacists will calculate the correct dose for your child and ensure the most appropriate medication is prescribed for their age and destination.
What should I do if I feel unwell after returning from a malaria-risk area?
If you develop a fever, flu-like symptoms, or feel unwell at any point up to a year after returning from a malaria-risk destination, you should seek medical attention immediately and inform the healthcare professional of your recent travel history. Malaria can present days, weeks, or even months after infection, so it is important never to dismiss symptoms as a minor illness following travel.
Your Travel Health, In Safe Hands
At Luxtons Pharmacy in Exeter, we have been supporting the health of our community for nearly a century, and that expertise extends to every traveller who walks through our doors. Our knowledgeable travel health team is here to ensure you have everything you need to stay safe on your next adventure — from the right malaria tablets to comprehensive bite prevention advice. Don’t leave your health to chance before you travel. Book now for a personalised travel health consultation and set off with confidence, knowing you are fully protected.
