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Condition guide · /anti-malarial/
Anti-malarial medicines
Reviewed by Dr. Arjun Mehta, PharmD — Head Pharmacist. Updated May 2025.
249M
Malaria cases yearly
5
Plasmodium species
Prophylaxis
Before travel
Rx
About this condition
Malaria is a serious parasitic disease transmitted by Anopheles mosquito bites. Around 249 million cases and over 600,000 deaths occur each year, almost all in sub-Saharan Africa. Five Plasmodium species infect humans; falciparum is the most dangerous.
Anti-malarials are used for two purposes: prophylaxis (prevention) when travelling to malaria-endemic areas, and treatment of confirmed infection. The drug chosen depends on the destination’s resistance patterns and the patient’s medical history. Always pair anti-malarials with bite-avoidance measures.
Treatment options
Atovaquone/proguanil
Daily, well-tolerated prophylaxis. Start 1–2 days before travel and continue 7 days after return.
Doxycycline
Mefloquine
Weekly. Useful for long trips but neuropsychiatric side effects mean it isn’t first-line.
Artemisinin combinations
Standard treatment for confirmed falciparum malaria worldwide. Always combination therapy.
Common questions
Which prophylaxis is best?
It depends on destination, length of trip, allergies and tolerance. Speak to a travel-health clinic ideally 4–6 weeks before departure.
Can I get malaria despite taking prophylaxis?
Yes — no regimen is 100% effective. Any fever within 12 months of travel to a malaria area warrants urgent testing.
Are anti-malarials safe in pregnancy??
Some are. Specific advice depends on the trimester and the destination. Pregnant travellers should ideally avoid malaria areas.
Dr. Arjun Mehta, PharmD · Head Pharmacist
/our-pharmacists/arjun-mehta/ — Reviewed May 2025
This guide is reviewed every 12 months or sooner when clinical guidance changes. If you have a specific medical question, call our pharmacist team — we answer the phone, not a bot.
