Anti Malaria medication/diving

[DanE]

Hi all,

I'm off to India in a couple of weeks to train some low paid programmers how to write ATM device handlers. I'm not expecting to come back to a job...

Back to the point of this post. I'll be taking anti malaria mediaction - Paludrine tablets (daily) and Avloclor (weekly). I need to start taking them one week before I go and continue the course for four weeks after I return.

These pre/post trip courses overlap with planned dives so I'm wondering if anyone has any experience of diving while taking these?

Thanks,
dan.

[Kirstie]

[quote=DanE]H I'll be taking anti malaria mediaction - Paludrine tablets (daily) and Avloclor (weekly). /QUOTE]

Hi Dan

I've taken my first two Avloclor tablets today for a hol in Turkey next week. I've got a dive planned on Wednesday and another when I get back. When I went to get my jabs, the nurse said it would be fine to dive while taking the Avloclor but she did advise against diving the same day as I had my typhoid and Hep A jabs. Not sure about the Paludrine thought - perhaps the pharmacist at your local Bootst could help?

[DanE]

Thanks Kirstie.

The woman in boots was non-commital.

Reading through the "undesirable events" section of the bumf (so that would be side effects, then), a lot of them seem to be DCI symptoms!

dan

[nickjb]

The one to avoid is Larium. I've dived plenty using Paludrine and Avloclor. Although this isn't medically conclusive I've not heard of any problems.

On a side note Paludrine and Avloclor aren't the best. A lot of malaria is resistant to these nowadays. Consider Malarone or Doxycycline. If you go to a BA travel clinic they are very good at giving up to date travel advice on this sort of thing. Well worth an hour of your time.

[Kirstie]

Originally Posted by DanE

Thanks Kirstie.

The woman in boots was non-commital.

Reading through the "undesirable events" section of the bumf (so that would be side effects, then), a lot of them seem to be DCI symptoms!

dan

I have to be honest - I didn't read the 'undesireable events' section (great name, though! Better than 'Dreadful things that might happen to you.) I suppose if you really aren't too sure, the best thing is not to go diving. I'm diving on Wednesday (weather permitting) - I'll let you know how it goes if you like.

[DanE]

Not go diving? Heresey! I'd miss a long weekend in Oban and a week onboard MV Hurricane! Rather I'd not go to India...

In seriousness, yes let me know how it goes. Nick's comments indicate that it looks okay. Nick - thanks for the advice about alternative treatments and BA's travel clinic.

dan.

ps. Enjoy your holiday!

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by nickjb

The one to avoid is Larium. I've dived plenty using Paludrine and Avloclor. Although this isn't medically conclusive I've not heard of any problems.

On a side note Paludrine and Avloclor aren't the best

I am sure these were the ones I had, when I went to Manado and quite frankly I felt so bad I stopped taking them. I wouldn't use them again if I went back. But I would think you would need something in India.

As for Indian call centres

[cdiver2]

Originally Posted by DanE

Hi all,

I'm off to India in a couple of weeks to train some low paid programmers how to write ATM device handlers. I'm not expecting to come back to a job...

Back to the point of this post. I'll be taking anti malaria mediaction - Paludrine tablets (daily) and Avloclor (weekly). I need to start taking them one week before I go and continue the course for four weeks after I return.

These pre/post trip courses overlap with planned dives so I'm wondering if anyone has any experience of diving while taking these?

Thanks,
dan.

My wife and I used Malarone for a dive Holaday in PNG there were no side effects for eather of us.

[daveyclayton]

The missus and I took Paludrine and Avloclor for 3 weeks earlier this year. I went diving and had no problems. I had a bit of insomnia when I started taking them (2 weeks in advance or whatever) but apart from that, and the fact that they taste like rancid sh1t, they were alright.

[DanE]

Thanks for all the advice so far, guys. Keep it coming.

dan.