Medications work best when they are taken correctly. This is particularly important when taking preventative measures against something like malaria. Malaria is caused by a parasitic infection in the bloodstream, and is transferred to human hosts via mosquito bites.
The malaria parasite is of four different types, of which the plasmodium falciparum is the most dangerous of all. It can cause severe symptoms and at times can also lead to death of a person who is infected with the falciparum. The other three types are plasmodium vivax, plasmodium ovale and plasmodium malariae, which are comparatively less dangerous. These are considered to be benign and cause considerable long periods of illness but any lethal risks. Some of the symptoms that are caused as a result of malaria include flu, fever, chills, shakes, nausea, headaches, vomiting, muscle aching, fatigue and diarrhoea. A person who is infected with the plasmodium falciparum can also experience symptoms such as seizures, kidney failure, mental confusion and coma.
If you take Malarone tablets properly, you can safely tour malaria infested zones, examine ruins of ancient cultures and explore the rain forest without fear of contracting the dreaded disease.
1. Talk to your physician about anti-malaria medication and request a prescription for Malarone. If you are currently taking any other medications, including vitamins, birth control or aspirin, tell your medical provider as it may interfere with the Malarone.
2. Begin your Malarone regimen one to two days prior to your arrival into a reported malaria zone.
3. Swallow a tablet once a day. If you are unable to ingest medication this way, crush the tablet and mix it into with a pudding cup, small dish of ice cream or yogurt. (Dairy-based products tend to make the medication less upsetting to the digestive system.) Take your Malarone tablet at approximately the same time every day.
4. After you take the tablet, eat starchy food and a milk-based drink, such as toast and a fruit yogurt smoothie, or a bowl of breakfast cereal with milk. This will help prevent an upset stomach and nausea--the most common side effects of Malarone tablets.
5. Take an additional tablet if you become sick to your stomach within one hour of ingesting the medication.
6. Maintain the recommended medication schedule for one full week after you return from your trip.
Before taking Malarone: You should not use Malarone if you are allergic to atovaquone or proguanil. You should not use this medication to prevent malaria if you have severe kidney disease.
To make sure you can safely take Malarone, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions: kidney disease, liver disease, severe complications from malaria, oruncontrolled vomiting or diarrhea.
