What anti-malaria tablets are the best?

The second type of antimalarial course that you can obtain without a prescription in the UK contains chloroquine and proguanil.

While atovaquone and proguanil (the active ingredients of maloff) give good protection against the most common and dangerous forms of malaria, the combination of chloroquine and proguanil tends to be much less effective. Chloroquine/proguanil is still used in certain parts of the world, but it’s advised that you speak to a medical professional before buying these tablets to make sure that they will keep you protected.

There are certain destinations where chloroquine/proguanil tablets can offer sufficient protection, but most travellers visiting a malaria zone will require a different antimalarial.

There are no specific restrictions on who can buy chloroquine/proguanil over the counter. However, before you buy them you should check with your doctor or pharmacist that they will provide the required level of protection for the area you are travelling to. Chloroquine/proguanil is no longer recommended for African destinations, as these medicines do not provide sufficient protection against malaria caused by plasmodium falciparum in this part of the world.

Bear in mind that these tablets are not safe for anyone allergic to any of the ingredients.

They may also be unsuitable for people on certain medications, or anyone who has:

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding you should discuss your options with your doctor during your travel consultation. Chloroquine/proguanil is usually completely safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women, however some specific guidance is needed to ensure that you and your child stay properly protected.

For children, chloroquine/proguanil is usually safe to take, however the dosage needs to be altered depending upon weight. You should get advice from your doctor about giving antimalarials to your child before you leave the country.

Though buying antimalarials over the counter is quicker and more convenient, it is generally safer to obtain them with a prescription. This is because you are required to visit a doctor or nurse to discuss your travel plans with them in detail.

The main types of anti-malaria tablets available by prescription in the UK are:

To order prescription antimalarials, visit the LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor malaria clinic. 

Antimalarials are available as tablets and capsules and they can be bought over the counter in your local pharmacy, or prescribed by your GP or a service like our Online Doctor. Read on to find out about the different options available to you that can help prevent and treat malaria.

Every malaria tablet has a specified dosage and frequency that you can find on the packaging or in the patient information leaflet. Typically, you should take one tablet every day, however this can change depending on the type of medication you are taking.

See the table below to find out how often you should take the most common types of antimalarial medication:

The dosage and treatment length will depend on the type and brand of antimalarial tablets that you have been prescribed or bought over the counter. It is important that you read the patient leaflet then stick to the stated dosage and take the tablets for the stated amount of time.

Many antimalarials, including atovaquone plus proguanil, should be taken 1-2 days before you travel and then every day whilst you are in a malaria zone, plus a week after you return (whereas other medications need to be taken up to a month after you return home).

When buying malaria pills online, you should always look for websites that feature a registered pharmacy logo, NHS logo or MHRA logo – the majority of online providers should be regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), with recent reports visible on the main page. This means that the pharmacy is operating safely and legally, and that the medicines and malaria treatments you want to buy are safe to do so. If you’re unsure, you can always visit your local pharmacist to talk through your options for your upcoming holiday.