Information for Those Taking Chloroquine

A prophylaxis with chloroquine must begin on the day you arrive in the malarial region. The tablets are then taken regularly during the entire period in the malarial area and continues 4 weeks after departing from the area. The tablets are taken on the same day of the week. You should also take them immediately after a meal and swallow them together with an ample amount of water. If for any reason you vomit within half an hour, the medicine will not have had time to be absorbed by the body and you will need a new full dose. If vomiting occurs 30-60 minutes after ingesting the tablet, take half a dose instead.

Side Effects
Chloroquine seldom has any serious side effects. However, you may experience slight nausea, headaches, dizziness, temporary difficulty in switching between seeing long distances and short distances. It usually helps to take the tablets in combination with dinner. If you have any symptoms that may be due to the malaria prophylaxis, do not stop taking the prophylaxis. Rather, you should first consult with a doctor.

Pregnancy and Nursing
Chloroquine may be taken during pregnancy. Pregnant women may furthermore become more sick if they suffer from malaria, which is why the prophylaxis in such cases is especially important. You can also breastfeed while you take chloroquine.

 

Information for Those Taking Lariam (Mefloquin)

Those who previously have not used Lariam may “try out” the medication as early as approximately 3 weeks prior to departure. However, it is uncommon to suffer any side effects of the tablets.
Those who previously have used Lariam without any problems can begin with the prophylaxis one week prior to arrival in the malarial region and continue during the entire stay and for four weeks after departing from the malarial region.
The tablets are taken on the same day of the week. You should also take them immediately after a meal and swallow them together with an ample amount of water. If for some reason vomiting occurs within half an hour, the medication will not have had time to be absorbed by the body and you need to take another full dose. If vomiting occurs 30-60 minutes after ingesting the tablet, take half a dose instead.

Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare, but dizziness, anxiety and bloating of the stomach may occur. If you experience an inexplicable worry, feel depressed, restless or confused, contact a physician as soon as possible, since these systems in very rare instances are due to Lariam.

Pregnancy and Nursing
If you are pregnant, consult your doctor!
You can take Lariam while you are nursing.

Combination with Other Medications
You should not combine Lariam tablets with some kinds of heart medications. Neither should you combine Lariam and chloroquine phosphate. Consult with your doctor if you are uncertain!

If you received Vivoti capsules (typhoid vaccine), you should wait for three days after your last Vivoti capsule before you start taking chloroquine phosphate.

 

Information for Those Taking
Malarone or Malastad (atovaquone-proguanil)

Malarone, Malastad and Horisto-prophylaxis are started one day prior to the arrival in the malarial region and it must continue during the entire stay, as well as at least five, but preferably seven, days before departing from the malarial region. The tablets are taken daily in conjunction with mealtimes. If for any reason you vomit within an hour, the medicine will not have had time to be absorbed by the body and you will need to take a new full dose.

Side Effects
The medication may yield mild and very temporary side effects, for example, nausea, diarrhoea, headaches, abdominal pains and mouth ulcers. If you have any symptoms that may be due to the malaria prophylaxis, consult your doctor!

Pregnancy and Nursing
The medication must be avoided during pregnancy and nursing since there is no information concerning possible side effects.

Combination with Other Medications
You should not combine these medications with certain antibiotics, for example, tetracycline or Primperan (against nausea and vomiting). Such combinations can result in the concentration of the malaria medication being too low in the blood and thus reduce the level of protection against malaria. Consult with your doctor if you are uncertain.

 

Information for Those Taking Doxycycline

A doxycycline prophylaxis is started no later than on the day of arrival to the malarial region and it must continue during the entire stay and for four weeks after departing from the area.
The tablets are taken daily in conjunction with a meal. The medication can be dissolved in water or else swallowed whole, but then washed down with an ample amount of liquid. If for any reason you vomit within an hour after a meal, the medicine will not have had time to be absorbed by the body and you will need to take a new full dose.

Side Effects
Among the most common side effects are nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. The skin should be protected against the sun, as there is a risk for serious reddening of the skin.
The medication may also increase the risk of yeast in the genitals. That is why it may be appropriate to take a medication to counter this. Consult with your doctor!
Doxycycline must not be given to children under 8 years of age, as it can damage tooth enamel.

Pregnancy and Nursing
The medication should not be used during the last three months of pregnancy; however, it may be taken during nursing.

Combination with Other Medications
Doxycycline can affect the concentration of other medications in the bloodstream, for example, birth control pills (increasing the risk of pregnancy), medicine against epilepsy and medications that reduce the blood’s ability to coagulate (Waran). Consult with your doctor if you are uncertain.