Malaria Drugs..HELP!!

[Scubee]

Originally Posted by JasonP

I take malarone. The big advantage is that you only have to take it for 2 days before and a week after, unlike the other choice, which is doxycycline.

2 days! My gp said only 1! I only have enough for that! i

[Rod]

I have used Lariam and dived in the past with no problems as all. My wife also uses them without any problems. I think it must all be down to your individual makeup.

[dlegros]

Originally Posted by milldog

It's bitter lemon (with the quinine in it) Schweppes i think?

funny thing about Kenya, if like me you sleep in a mud hut out there you cant give blood for 5-10 years just white blood cells? somthing to do with a parasite that is out there?

Graham

Both tonic water and bitter lemon have quinine in (it's why they're bitter).

BUT

The quinine level is negligible in the modern products or else the drinks would have to be regulated as drugs.

Quinine is nasty stuff, over-dosage can cause permanent deafness and blindness with a host of other horrible effects.

Dom

[John Gulliver]

Anti-malarials: Prevention of malaria more important than side effects of the drugs.
Lariam (Mefloquine) - psychological & neurological problems.
Few problems with chloroquine, Malarone (Proguanil+Atavaquone), Doxycycline.
Side effects of Lariam similar to symptoms of DCS.

The above are Scubadoc's comments on Lariam. Above all the fact that the side effects are similar to symptoms of DCS is nowadays considered by most experts to containdicate the use of Lariam by divers. A few years ago it was considered OK to use it provided you were aware of the risks and I have myself taken Lariam in connection with a dive trip but I wouldn't do so today.

[markosis]

Don't do this:

A friend of mine (a medical student, and nearly a doctor) went out to South Africa this summer for his elective. He (a medical student, and nearly a doctor) was taking a long course of anti malarial drugs. He (a medical student, and nearly a doctor) stopped taking them half way through his stay and then he (a medical student, and nearly a doctor) went to a high risk area in Mozambique where he (a medical student, and nearly a doctor) got bitten to hell.

Guess who came home to London with malaria and had to spend ten days in hospital?

That's right. He (a medical student, and nearly a doctor) did.

Don't trust your doctor.

[DonnaA]

I took Malarone with no side effects.... but not cheap!

[Midnight]

Just like to give a vote for Malarone.

We were told to begin the course 1 day before departure, which was nice because we did not want any side effects on our wedding day.

Took them for the three and a half weeks with absolutely no problems at all.

They were a little pricey but having seen the effects of arecurring Malaria on my cousin we happily paid.

BTW our trip was to Borneo, if you look at a "Malaria danger zone" map Borneo is easy to spot as it is glowing RED!!!

They do not even taste funny!!

Regards
Safe trip
Midnight

[sean0801]

I've had larium, and had no side affects

but i am one 'ard b'stard

bitter lemon contains quinine which is good for malaria

[braincoral]

Have taken malarone twice now with no probs diving.

[Rubydiver]

Thanks to everyone who replied, realy helped!

Have booked into the Doctors and think will go fpr Malarone!

Not looking forward to yhe yellow fever jab though.

Will let you all know how the trip goes.