Safely Switching Malaria Prophylaxis: A Doctor's Guide

In many tropical areas of the world, malaria continues to be a threat. Humans contract the disease when bitten by a female mosquito. Taking a malaria prophylaxis, also known as an ant-malarial drug, can help to lower the risk of contracting the disease. Because today's malaria prophylaxes carry diverse risks of side effects, its important to talk to your travel doctor when switching from one prophylaxis to another.

Instructions

• 1

  Allow a "washout period" for certain prophylaxes. This is a time when you allow the old anti-malarial to leave your system before you start taking the new one. Some drugs require this washout period while others allow you to switch immediately, depending on the drug you're taking and the one you're switching to. Also, some malaria prophylaxes are safe to switch only when you're not yet in the malaria-prone area.

• 2

  Take the recommended dosage. Dosage depends on different factors, such as age and body weight. Take only the dosage recommended by your doctor.

• 3

  See your doctor if side effects occur. Today's malaria prophylaxes carry many risks of side effects, including dizziness, nausea, headache, seizures, blurred vision, anxiety and mood changes. Therefore it's important to tell your doctor if any side effects occur when stopping or starting a new anti-malarial drug.