Malaria Prevention
- Malarone & alternatives
- Travel-specific advice
- All destinations covered
About Malaria Prevention
Malaria is a serious tropical disease spread by mosquito bites. If you're travelling to a malaria-endemic area, you may need antimalarial tablets to protect yourself.
Available Treatments
Our GPs can prescribe:
- Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone) - best tolerated, take daily
- Doxycycline - affordable option, take daily
- Mefloquine (Lariam) - weekly tablet, not for everyone
How It Works
- Complete our travel health questionnaire
- Tell us your destination and travel dates
- A GP assesses risk and recommends appropriate prophylaxis
- Prescription sent to your pharmacy
Important Information
- Start tablets before travel (timing varies by medication)
- Continue taking tablets after returning home
- No antimalarial is 100% effective - also use mosquito bite prevention
- Some areas have drug-resistant malaria
Three Simple Steps
Getting the treatment you need has never been easier.
Complete Questionnaire
Answer a few questions about your health and symptoms. Takes less than 5 minutes.
GP Review
An Irish registered GP reviews your request and approves treatment if suitable.
Get Your Treatment
Prescription sent to your chosen pharmacy or treatment delivered to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about malaria prevention.
It depends on your destination, trip length, medical history, and budget. Malarone is best tolerated but most expensive. Your GP will recommend the best option.
Malarone: 1-2 days before travel. Doxycycline: 1-2 days before. Mefloquine: 2-3 weeks before. Your GP will provide specific instructions.
Not all tropical destinations have malaria risk. Risk varies by region and season. Check if prophylaxis is recommended for your specific itinerary.
Use DEET-based insect repellent, sleep under mosquito nets, wear long sleeves/trousers at dusk/dawn. Tablets plus bite prevention is the best protection.