Treatment of Malaria

A malaria vaccine is under development but is not available. However, the following prescription drugs can prevent malarial infection and always should be taken with travellers visiting areas with high rates of malaria. The type of medication recommended depends on the rate of resistance to the drug chloroquine in the countries you are living or visiting.

Chloroquine is a treatment of choice for malaria. But it is recommended only in countries where the malaria parasites are not yet resistant to it.

Mefloquine is now being used widely because many malaria causing parasites have become resistant to Chloroquine.

Doxycycline is an antibiotic also effective in suppressing malarial parasites. This drug has one disadvantage. It makes some people hypersensitive to the sun. A hat and sunscreen should be used when taking this drug.

Please consult a doctor for the exact prescription combination, dosage, usage and duration.