My son is off volunteering in Tanzania in Africa in a couple of weeks time.  We just went to collect his presciption for 86 Malaria Tablets (the Malarone type) and got the shock of our lives!  We assumed the price would be the same in all chemists so went to Boots, where they charged £220 (a little too much don't you think?).  We decided to look around instead and went to Superdrug and they cost £175!  We've yet to price locally, we were just very surprised just how much the prices vary, when the doctor writes you a prescription. 

Has anyone used these Malarone tablets before?  I would be grateful for any replies from those who may have used these tablets in the past.  Boots said the standard cost is £3 a tablet, but from what we've found today that is certainly not the case!  So much for Boots saying their tablets were "competitively" priced!

Ange

Ange, just buy a couple of weeks worth first - he has to start taking them before he goes.  I went to Kenya last April and my Doctor recommended Larium as they are £2+ per tablet but only one per week, and he said that the 'combination tablets' like Malarone weren't good enough these days!  I felt 'strange' a week after the first tablet.  After the 2nd tablet (they were the one a week ones) I didn't know where I was!!  I was off balance, my hand started tapping all on its own!!  They seriously affected my central nervous system!

My Doctor prescribed a second type - doxycycline, only a daily antibiotic - and they affected my blood chemistry, making my legs swell and turn red, the redness rising as the day progressed until I took an antihystamine in the evening.  By the morning I was just red to my ankles, when I dutifully took my next anti malaria tablet again. 
But the reason that I say only buy a couple of weeks supply first is that when I had to stop taking the first lot, having only taken 2 tablets and they were all individually foil wrapped, the Chemist refused to refund and I had to pay in full for the second lot!!

I'm not a 'drug' person but out of 16 on my trip, 10 of us had severe reactions to the drugs.  To make matters worse I was told by the locals that although 'officially' they were in a high risk area, they hadn't heard of a case of malaria for over 10 years!!  To me it's soo serious an illness to muck about with, but when I go back I'll be taking homoeopathic protection!!

I do hope that he enjoys his trip - Africa is a fansastic country and I'll definitely be going back!!

I wish you luck with your homoeopathic antimalarials.  It certainly wouldn't be something I would trust for this extremely serious disease, I once shared a house with someone who had repeated attacks of maleria after contracting it years before it's not something I would risk without exploring all phamaceutical options.  I have taken Larium several times in the past but have started to have very vivid dreams with them so not wishing to risk any psychotic episodes :) I have decided not to take them again but I would always take something even if it wasn't the first line.

I travelled throughout South Africa and spent time in Malawi by the lake shore where Malaria is rife.  I took Larium and these gave me very "active" dreams but that was all.  I would definitely reccommend taking something, my Grandad contracted Malaria during the war and he suffered bouts of it throughout his life :(

 

My father was the same - he spent a long time in Sierra Leone during the war and got malaria there. He also had recurring bouts right up to his death some years ago :( Sons girlfriend spent some time last summer in Togo doing voluntary work. Several of her friends got malaria - I don't know whether they didn't take the medication - or whether it just didn't give them cover

Daisy

Quite a few years ago now the publican of a pub near Gatwick airport that was frequented by a lot of airline staff contracted malaria, presumably from a mosquito in a customer's clothing. It was sensational local news at the time.
:)

you cant put a price on his health......my friend went out there to do voluntary work at the elephant prphanage and died of malaria whilst there despite taking all the tablests so I would say pay up, and dont winge about the cost!!!!

Hi Ange,

The Malarone is expensive (I'm in the netherlands and if I remember correctly they were about 2 Euro a table over a year ago). I had no problems with malerone.
Here in the Netherlands it's the most 'popular' anti-malaria drug (also because of side effects of lariam)

I refuse to take Lariam. As stated by other posters this drug is easy to take (once a week instead of once a day as Malarone) but CAN have severe side effects.
The vivid dreams are side affects that are not too bad. But people could get halucinations, nightmares, depression, emotional outburst and if you have any history of mental health problems to go near the stuff !!
From all the people I have spoken to on my holidays I think there were about 2 people with no side effects at all from Lariam. The rest (think about 50 plus people) all had side effects and most of them were severe enough for them to stop using the stuff with all the risks involved (they would stop using it while still abroad)
Never heard anybody about the Malarone side effects.

If I'm correct you can start Malaron just before you leave (Lariam should be taken 1 of 2 weeks before you go)
and just a few more days after returning. So that's also a plus.

There is a huge difference between Malarone and lariam.
I know the medication is expensive....but it's worth it
(even though any kind of medication doesn't offer 100% protection!)

I would also never take the risk of not taking anti-malaria medication (even if a area is 'clean')
As stated by the other poster. It's definitly NOT worth the risk.

I'm very curious about the homeopathic medication the other poster mentioned.
Never heard of it and can't think of anything existing in this area. But info is more than welcome!

Did your son also buy a clamboo (Sps??)
You can get them treated with chemicals (non toxic to humans) for extra protection.
Definally recommend those !!
And let him buy his anti insect spray/lotion for his skin locally please!!
A lot cheaper!! and they actually work!! All the stuff you buy here seems to be only repalling european insects and are like mjummy treats to bugs over there ! :D

Hi Iggy!!  I enquired from Ainsworths when I came back - that's where I get all my other homeopathic stuff from (if it's good enough for the Queen, then it's good enough for me!!:)) and this was the reply that I received.

Thank you for your enquiry. We can supply Malaria Co 30c and Tetanus 30. The usual dose is 1 tablet three times on one day per week starting 1 week before travel.
7g (50tabs) Malaria Co cost £6 , 7g Tetanus 30 cost £5
P/P is £2

Orders can be made on our order line 01883 340332
Regards
Ainsworths

I wasn't willing to take a chance with malaria as my body obviously hadn't come into contact with it before, but the information that I picked up out there will help me make a different decision next time!  Having said that all areas are different and if I was going to a different area, then I'm not sure what I'd do!!

Hi Val,

Tetanus pills ?? Oh well...that's another subject :)

I just took a look at their site (Ainsworths). But it doesn't tell you anything about what's in the Malaria Co 30.
(I want to know what I'm taking) I'm totally pro homeopathic if possible so don't get me wrong.
Would be great if you could get me the info on what's in these pills and more info on how they work

If they state that it contains 'Artemisinin' I would like to know if the advise this as protection against Malaria or as treatment. Because what I have found so far they only use it as treatment not as protection against it.
But it could be both.

I've been in low and high risk areas in several countries.
I took the pills anyway since I couldn't just take them one week and not the other (travelling around large areas so it could differ by day if I was in low or high risk areas)

Contact Ainsworths Iggy.  They very helpful and will happily talk to you. :)

Sent them an Email asking for more info. I'll let you know what I get as feedback :)

Iguana74:
Excuse my ignorance, but what is a clamboo (Sps??), and why should my son get it?
Ange

Thanks for all your replies

Sorry I'm dutch so I'm not sure if it's the correct word in English. :)
It's the net that you put over your bed during the night.
It will protect you against muskito's and all other bugs etc.
You can get this treated with chemicals for extra protection

(your son could check with the organisation he is working for if he needs this or if they have it
on location already. They also usually have a list of stuff that you need to bring)

We generally call it a 'mosquito net', I think Iggy! I'm curious now - I must do a google search and see if it's got a proper name!
:)

Jep that's the one. Sorry for the confusion :)

Thanks for that yes he has got a mossy net.Cheers.
Ange

Hi, I just came across this forum as I am looking to buy some Malarone as very shortly I will be leaving to work in Rwanda for a few months.

When i noticed that someone on here said that he/she could get it from Superdrug cheaper than Boots ... my eyes lit up, but it's not. Well it might be if you purchase it from a store but for your information ive found somewhere cheaper - i think anyway, i havent bought any yet but it says it's £2.10 a tablet. Superdrug is £2.38, Boots is around £2.80.

The cheapest place i have found though is also Boots ... Boots Pharmacy Direct: http://www.boots.com/microsites/microsite_magazine.jsp?contentId=3816

Malarone -> 250mg + 100 mg -> £2.10

Hope this is helpful for someone :)

Swizzle  & others: I don't suppose you can get them on the NHS?  If your company is sending you out there to work, should they not pay for the tablets? (I guess you might be going to volunteer or something though)  Anyway, a bit off the topic, but I am not keen on buying my private prescriptions form Boots, because they really are more expensive. (and I prefer to support the small independent chemist) A cream which costs only a few pounds privately, will be £5 plus the cost of the cream, as this is their "base charge" for private medicines! And, in London, I bought two nasal sprays on a prescription from and independent chemist for about £12 in total. Next time, a few months later, I went to get them at Boots around the corner, and they wanted £19 for just one!  I can't believe they can get away with that.
Around here I get the best price at the independent chemist, so I would recommend you find out what sort of price they can do for you. (Disappearing breed those, the independent ones, I hope you find one.)

BTW, are you talking about the malaria drugs than can cause mental problems, induce psychosis etc? I went to China a few years back and asked my doctor if I should need any malaria drugs, and he said that only if I go to the countryside. As I wasn't going to, he said I shouldn't take them just as a precaution because of the possible mental side effects, including psychosis! (and I have had depression before) That sounds a bit scary to me.

(Edit: read Iggy's post further up , I guess I meant Lariam. )

Well Swizzle when my son bought his about a month ago they were £50 cheaper in Superdrug than anywhere else so I quess he was lucky. Hes doing volunteer work for the WWF and living with the Maasai Tribe but he had to raise the money  for the trip and flights himself plus all the jabs he needed and the Malaria tablets. It has cost quite a bit but its a fantastic oppurtunity and well worth it.But I miss him so much.

Hello again, no my company isn't sending me out there. My cousins set up a charity for street kids in Rwanda a couple of years back and they asked me whether I would like to go out and help them for a bit. My cousin mentioned it to me last Christmas, and I just thought it would be amazing experience. She contacted me again about a month ago and i've been getting ready ever since (still not ready now actually). I leave a week today!! eeeeeeeeek

Only problem is I am also having to fund this, with the help of my mum - thankyou mummy :) and its turning out to be one expensive trip!

£200 worth of Malarone arrives tomorrow :/ ...... and a Digital Camera :D

Hi ange

definately get some kind of anti malarials, I have just returned from Kenya and used Malarone, as it was only a short visit. I had absolutely no problems with it at all.

As far as the different drugs, Malarone is the best, followed by doxycycline. Malarone can be got at its cheapest (that i've found) for £2 each in a local pharmacy and £2.10 online. It needs to be taken 2 days before departure to the infected area and 7 days after he returns, once a day. There are very few side effects.

Doxycycline is second best and is much cheaper, and for a longer stay it is often recommended by many doctors. It is very regularly used as an antibiotic or in the treatment of acne (and this is three times a day, not once as in the case of anti-malarials) and so is widely found to be without significant side effects. The key one to think about though, is that it raises the likelihood of your son developping photodermatitis (which is a really nasty skin complaint, a reaction to the sun) by 10%, so that will probably be a consideration; particularly if he is staying for a long time, has sensitive skin or often reacts to strong sun.

i hope this helps, im just about to go back to kenya myself for longer you see, so i am doing the same research. Your doctor/travel nurse should have a leaflet with all the different types of anti malarials and their various side effects, and the pharmacist should help too.

good luck, i hope your son has a great time
Amy

Hiya Amy, and welcome to the board.
You have given a brilliant reply, but unfortunatly you are a little late ;)
This thread was from 2005 :) :)
Lea :) :)