If you are travelling to a malaria-risk area, antimalarial tablets are one of the most important parts of your trip preparation. There is no single best option for everyone. The right choice depends on your destination, your medical history, the length of your trip and your personal preferences. This guide explains the main options so you can have an informed conversation with your pharmacist.
Do I need antimalarial tablets for my trip?
Whether you need antimalarials depends entirely on where you are going. Malaria risk varies significantly between countries, and even between regions within the same country.
Higher-risk destinations typically include large parts of sub-Saharan Africa, areas of South Asia and parts of Southeast Asia and South America. Some popular tourist destinations carry little or no malaria risk in the main resort areas, but a higher risk in rural or border regions. This is why a personalised assessment matters more than a general rule.The UK’s national travel health resources, Travel Health Pro and NHS Fit for Travel, publish up-to-date country-by-country malaria risk information. A travel health consultation will check the current advice for your specific destination and itinerary.
What are the main antimalarial options in the UK?
Three antimalarial medicines are most commonly prescribed for UK travellers. The table below summarises how they differ. It is a general guide only. Your pharmacist will recommend the most appropriate option for you based on your destination, medical history and current medications.
| Antimalarial | How it is taken | Often considered for | Key considerations |
| Atovaquone with proguanil | Once daily; started 1–2 days before travel, continued 7 days after returning | Shorter trips; travellers preferring a shorter course after returning | Generally well tolerated; tends to be a higher-cost option |
| Doxycycline | Once daily; started 1–2 days before travel, continued 4 weeks after returning | Longer trips; cost-conscious travellers | Lower cost; can increase sun sensitivity; not suitable in pregnancy or for young children |
| Mefloquine | Once weekly; started 2–3 weeks before travel, continued 4 weeks after returning | Longer trips where weekly dosing is preferred | Weekly dosing; not suitable for people with certain mental health conditions; needs an early start |
What about side effects?
Like all medicines, antimalarials can cause side effects, though many people take them without any problems. Side effects differ between the medicines, which is one reason the choice is personalised.
Your pharmacist will talk you through the possible side effects of the medicine recommended for you, and will check it against your medical history and any other medications you take. Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine, and tell your prescriber about any health conditions you have.
If you have taken a particular antimalarial before and did not get on with it, let your pharmacist know. There is usually an alternative that may suit you better.
Tablets are only part of malaria prevention
Antimalarial tablets significantly reduce your risk, but no antimalarial is 100% effective. Bite prevention is an equally important part of staying safe. Travel health professionals recommend an approach often summarised as ABCD:
- A — Awareness of risk. Know whether your destination carries a malaria risk before you travel.
- B — Bite prevention. Use insect repellent containing DEET, sleep under treated mosquito nets where
needed, and cover up at dawn and dusk. - C — Chemoprophylaxis. Take the right antimalarial tablets correctly, including the doses before and
after your trip. - D — Diagnosis. Seek medical help promptly if you develop a fever during or after travel, even weeks
later.
Malaria symptoms can appear from a week after exposure to several months after returning home. If you develop a fever, flu-like symptoms, headache or chills after visiting a malaria-risk area, seek medical advice urgently and mention your travel history.
How to get antimalarial tablets at Anna Pharmacy
At Anna Pharmacy, our pharmacists can assess your needs, prescribe and dispense antimalarial tablets in a single appointment. You do not need a separate visit to your GP.
During your travel health consultation, we will check the current malaria risk for your destination, review your medical history and current medications, and recommend the most appropriate antimalarial for your
trip. We will also explain how and when to take it, and what to do if you feel unwell.
Which antimalarial tablet is best?
There is no single best antimalarial for everyone. The most suitable option depends on your destination,
the length of your trip, your medical history and your preferences. The main UK options are atovaquone with proguanil, doxycycline and mefloquine. A travel health professional will recommend the right one for you.
Do I need a prescription for antimalarial tablets in the UK?
Yes. Antimalarial tablets are prescription-only medicines in the UK. At Anna Pharmacy, our pharmacists
can assess your needs, prescribe and dispense them in a single appointment, so you do not need a separate GP visit.
When should I start taking antimalarial tablets?
It depends on the medicine. Atovaquone with proguanil and doxycycline are usually started one to two
days before travel, while mefloquine is started two to three weeks before. This is why it helps to book your
travel health consultation several weeks before you depart.
Do antimalarial tablets have side effects?
Like all medicines, antimalarials can cause side effects, though many people take them without problems.
Side effects differ between medicines. Your pharmacist will explain the possible side effects of the medicine recommended for you and check it against your medical history.
Are antimalarial tablets 100% effective?
No antimalarial is 100% effective. Tablets significantly reduce your risk but should be combined with bite
prevention such as insect repellent and mosquito nets. Seek medical help promptly if you develop a fever
during or after travel to a malaria-risk area.
Can I get antimalarials at a pharmacy instead of my GP?
Yes. Anna Pharmacy pharmacists can prescribe and dispense antimalarial tablets following a travel health
consultation, without a separate GP appointment. Bring details of your destination, travel dates and any
medications you take.