Malarone is a medication that stops you from developing malaria (also known as an ‘antimalarial’). When you take Malarone, it stops the parasite that causes malaria from replicating itself in the body. It’s thought to work in most regions in the world where malaria is present, and be around 98-100% effective at preventing infection .
It’s a branded tablet, but there’s a generic version too that’s called ‘Atovaquone/proguanil’ (which is the name of the two active ingredients in it).
You’ll start taking Malarone two days before you arrive in a malaria risk zone, and take it daily while you’re there. When you leave, you’ll keep taking it for seven days after you return. This is because it can take seven days after a mosquito bite for malaria to ‘incubate’ in the body.
How does Malarone work?
Malarone protects you from malaria, an infection caused by mosquitos. Mosquitos in some areas carry a plasmodium parasite, which can enter your blood when they bite you. This parasite can then travel through your bloodstream to your liver, where it multiplies. Without treatment, the malaria infection may then spread to your red blood cells.
Malarone has two active ingredients, called atovaquone and proguanil. They work together to stop the malaria parasite from reproducing in your liver, so it weakens and limits the infection. It does this by destroying an enzyme called ‘dihydrofolate reductase’ (DHFR for short). This enzyme helps malaria to copy itself and spread. Once this enzyme is subdued, the parasite becomes weaker, and your immune system can then fight off any remaining infection.
What doses of Malarone are there?
There’s an adult dose for Malarone to prevent malaria, which is one tablet per day (250mg of atovaquone and 100mg of proguanil). This is the standard dose no matter which area you’re travelling to.
There’s also a paediatric version that contains a quarter of the dose (62.5mg and 25mg) and how much a child takes depends on their weight. We don’t offer this dose, so if you’re looking for malaria prevention treatment for a child, we recommend visiting a travel clinic.
If you’re treating malaria rather than preventing it with Malarone, the dose is higher. But if you have malaria you’ll need to be admitted to hospital and have your infection monitored.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
MalaroneAtovaquone + Proguanil
How to take Malarone
To make sure Malarone works perfectly:
begin treatment two days before you travel into a region with malaria
take it everyday you’re there, at around the same time each day
when you leave the at-risk zone, keep taking Malarone for seven days
have food or a milky drink with Malarone if you have a sensitive stomach
if you are sick within an hour of taking Malarone, take another tablet.
Always take Malarone exactly as our prescriber tells you to, and read the instructions before you take it.
How long does it take Malarone to work?
Studies have shown that for some people, Malarone can be absorbed into the bloodstream within two to four hours of taking it . But because it takes up to two days for Malarone to become fully effective, you’ll need to start taking it two days before you travel.
For it to stay effective, you’ll need to carry on taking it every day you’re ‘at risk’, and for another seven days after you return. This is because it can take up to a week for malaria to develop after a bite.
What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Malarone?
If you forget to take a dose of Malarone, take it as soon as you realise. If it’s almost time for your next dose, just take this at the normal time, and add an extra day onto the end of your treatment.
It can be easy to get out of a routine when you’re abroad, so setting a daily alarm can help you remember to take Malarone.
Don’t take two tablets of Malarone to make up for a missed dose. If you’ve taken too much Malarone, please contact your doctor.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
MalaroneAtovaquone + Proguanil
MalaroneAtovaquone + Proguanil
FAQ: Malarone
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
How is Malarone different from other treatments for malaria?
Answer:
There are a few different preventative treatments for malaria. Lariam (Mefloquine) only needs to be taken once a week. But, you need to start Lariam seven days before you travel, so it may not be best for short notice trips, and it’s been shown to give more side effects.
Doxycycline is a daily medication like Malarone and only needs to be taken one to two days before you enter a malaria-risk region. Like Malarone, there are no areas where resistance to Doxycycline has made it less effective . However, Doxycycline needs to be taken for four weeks after leaving a malaria affected zone.
Lariam and Doxycycline both contain different active ingredients to Malarone. This means certain treatments may suit you better. If you’re not sure which treatment to pick, we can help you figure out the best option for you.
Is Malarone similar to any other treatments?
Answer:
Malarone contains the same active ingredients as Maloff Protect (atovaquone and proguanil) at the same dose. This means they work in essentially the same way.
A big difference is that Malarone needs a prescription, but Maloff Protect doesn’t. We can offer you both, so which one you choose is up to you.
There is also a generic version of Malarone, called Atovaquone/Proguanil. This is very similar to Malarone and Maloff, but isn’t branded. This just means that the tablets may vary in size or colour. Generic medicines are usually cheaper than branded versions.
How effective is Malarone?
Answer:
Malarone is highly effective. In eight clinical trials, it prevented malaria in 98-100% of cases and performed similarly or better than other antimalarials . It also has fewer side effects than many other treatments . So you shouldn’t have to worry about adjusting to side effects on your trip.
Malarone is also a good choice as it works in areas where malaria strains have developed resistance to other treatments . This means it should work for you regardless of where you plan to travel.
There’s a full list of what medications work where on the NHS Fit for Travel website .
Do I need a prescription for Malarone?
Answer:
You will need a prescription for Malarone. This is so our clinicians can check that it’s safe for you to use. We can also advise other treatments that may suit you better.
There is a version of Malarone called Maloff Protect that doesn’t need a prescription. But the process of getting it is really similar. You’ll still need to consult with a clinician beforehand so they can make sure it’s the right treatment for you.
How much Malarone will I need?
Answer:
The number of Malarone tablets you’ll need to take depends on how long you stay in the at-risk region. There’s a simple way to figure it out:
take the number of days you plan to stay in the at-risk region
add two days for taking Malarone before you travel
add seven days afterwards to complete the course
so the number of tablets you need is the same as the number of days you’re in an at-risk region plus nine.
It’s also helpful to have a few extra tablets in case you lose some. If you talk to one of our experts about your trip, we can figure out the right amount for you.
Why should I buy Malarone online with Treated?
Answer:
Getting treatment with us is easy and tailored to you. If you need malaria protection, just take our quick consultation about your health and travel plans. One of our experts can then provide Malarone or help you find an alternative.
We can help you prepare for your trip in the easiest way possible. Our clinicians will check in with you during treatment to make sure things are going well. We also give you free specialised aftercare.
Petersen, E., Rønne, T., Rønn, A., Bygbjerg, I. and Larsen, S.O. (2006).
Reported Side Effects to Chloroquine, Chloroquine plus Proguanil, and Mefloquine as Chemoprophylaxis against Malaria in Danish Travelers. Journal of Travel Medicine, 7(2), pp.79–84.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness and safety of atovaquone proguanil (Malarone) for chemoprophylaxis against malaria. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 60(5), pp.929-936.
Ochekpe, N.A., Looareesuwan, S. and White, N.J. (1987). Single dose pharmacokinetics of proguanil and its metabolites in healthy subjects. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 24(6), pp.775–780.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
