Travel health
Malaria Tablets & Prevention
From £2 per tablet
consultation included
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted to humans through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. There is no travel vaccine — antimalarial tablets (prophylaxis), along with mosquito-bite avoidance, play a crucial role in reducing your risk.
What is Malaria?
Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. The disease is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, South-East Asia, and parts of South America. Symptoms typically appear 10 to 15 days after the infective mosquito bite and include fever, chills, headache, nausea, and muscle pain. Severe cases can lead to complications such as anaemia, cerebral malaria, and death if not promptly treated.
Where is there a risk of Malaria?
Malaria is endemic in many tropical and subtropical regions. In sub-Saharan Africa, countries such as Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda report high transmission rates. In South-East Asia, nations including India, Myanmar, and Indonesia have significant malaria prevalence. Parts of South America, particularly the Amazon basin regions in Brazil, Peru, and Colombia, also experience malaria transmission. Travellers to these areas should be aware of the heightened risk.
Who is at risk of Malaria?
Travellers to endemic regions are at risk of contracting malaria, especially if they engage in outdoor activities during evening and nighttime hours when Anopheles mosquitoes are most active. The risk is higher in rural areas, forests, and regions with poor healthcare infrastructure. Preventive measures include taking antimalarial medications as prescribed, using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets.
What are the symptoms of Malaria?
Fever
Chills
Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Muscle pain
Fatigue
Sweating
Antimalarial tablets compared
There is no vaccine against malaria for travellers — protection comes from antimalarial tablets plus rigorous bite avoidance. Which tablet is right depends on your destination (drug resistance varies by region), your medical history, other medicines you take, and your budget. We stock the main options and confirm the most suitable one at your consultation.
Atovaquone / Proguanil
Maloff Protect, Malarone
Type
Daily tablet
Course
From 1–2 days before entering the risk area until 7 days after leaving
The shortest after-travel course of the main options. Can be supplied by a pharmacist without a prescription after an assessment.
Doxycycline
Generic
Type
Daily tablet
Course
From 1–2 days before entering the risk area until 4 weeks after leaving
A widely used, economical option. Not suitable for children under 12. Prescription-only — supplied at your consultation.
Mefloquine
Lariam
Type
Weekly tablet
Course
From 2–3 weeks before entering the risk area until 4 weeks after leaving
Convenient weekly dosing for longer trips, but needs a careful suitability assessment. Prescription-only — supplied at your consultation.
Chloroquine
Avloclor
Type
Weekly tablet
Course
From 1 week before entering the risk area until 4 weeks after leaving
Only suitable for the limited regions without chloroquine-resistant malaria — we check your exact destination before recommending it.
Important: antimalarial tablets are for PREVENTION. If you develop a fever during or after travel to a malaria region, this is a medical emergency — seek urgent medical care immediately rather than self-treating. Exact dosing, suitability and the right tablet for your destination are confirmed at your consultation, following UK (NaTHNaC/TravelHealthPro) guidance.
Malaria tablet dosing
Some destinations also need antimalarial tablets. Tell us who it's for to see the usual dose for each tablet type. The right tablet depends on where you're travelling — we'll confirm everything at your appointment.
Atovaquone 250mg / Proguanil 100mg (adult tablet)
Daily, from 1—2 days before entering the risk area until 7 days after leaving.
Mefloquine 250mg
Weekly, from 2—3 weeks before entering the risk area until 4 weeks after leaving.
The SPC allows use over 5kg, so ¼ tablet may be advised for children 5—9.9kg.
Chloroquine base 155mg
Weekly, from 1 week before entering the risk area until 4 weeks after leaving.
Chloroquine is not effective in areas with significant drug-resistant malaria — check it is recommended for your destination.
Doxycycline 100mg
Daily, from 1—2 days before entering the risk area until 4 weeks after leaving.
Doxycycline is unsuitable for children under 12 years, whatever their weight.
Doses from the NaTHNaC “Children's antimalarial dosage tables” (updated 22 August 2023), © Crown Copyright, UK Health Security Agency, used under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Bite avoidance
Spread by night-biting mosquitoes
Malaria is spread by Anopheles mosquitoes, which bite from dusk to dawn. Avoiding mosquito bites is a key part of your protection. Protect yourself after dark: use 40–50% DEET repellent, cover up in the evening and sleep under a treated mosquito net.
FAQ
Malaria — frequently asked questions
Need protection against Malaria?
Speak with our travel health team and get personalised advice today.
Learn more
Trusted resources
Authoritative guidance on Malaria from leading public health bodies.
