Paludrine/Avloclor

The Paludrine/Avloclor Anti-malarial Travel Pack contains two different tablets to help prevent malaria before and after you travel to a malaria-risk country. It uses two active ingredients: proguanil hydrochloride and chloroquine phosphate. These medicines belong to a group called antimalarials.

Antimalarials are used in certain countries where there’s a high risk of malaria. Malaria is spread through bites from infected mosquitoes that carry a parasite into your blood. You should tell your prescriber what country you are travelling to to make sure the Anti-malarial Travel Pack is right for you.

While taking this medicine, you should also follow these recommendations to protect yourself from mosquitoes as much as possible:

• use insect repellent on exposed skin;
• wear light-coloured clothing, especially after sunset, as this is when mosquitoes are most active;
• sleep under a mosquito net;
• use insecticide spray and close doors and windows (if they’re not screened already).^[1]

Paludrine/Avloclor contains two active ingredients for maximum protection against malaria. One of the tablets, Paludrine, contains a medicine called proguanil. Proguanil works by stopping the parasite from growing and reproducing. It does this by binding to an enzyme in the parasite that’s involved in its reproduction. It’s highly effective against one type of malaria parasite.

Avloclor (the other tablet in the travel pack) contains the other active ingredient, chloroquine. Chloroquine alters the DNA of the parasite, and binds to a molecule that causes the outer layer of the parasite to break down. This stops the parasite from growing in your red blood cells. And if you’ve already contracted malaria, it can help stop the parasite from multiplying. Chloroquine is especially effective at targeting malaria infections in the red blood cells without harming the rest of your body.^[2]

Paludrine/Avloclor is recommended for people travelling to countries where malaria is common, but you should check with your prescriber first.This is because some malaria parasites in certain countries have grown immune to certain anti-malarial medications.

Paludrine/Avloclor can also be used for people living in at-risk areas who aren’t immune to malaria. Usually, this will be in combination with another antimalarial treatment.^[1]

Paludrine/Avloclor comes in one dose for each of the active ingredients it uses. Paludrine contains 100 mg of proguanil hydrochloride, and Avloclor contains 250 mg of chloroquine phosphate. You’ll take each tablet at different times according to your prescriber’s instructions. The blister pack will have the days of the week on it and details on when to take it to help you remember.

Follow the instructions given by your clinician carefully to ensure your anti-malarial medication works effectively.

• Start taking Paludrine/Avloclor one week before you travel (or two days before if you’ve been prescribed it last minute).
• Continue to take it throughout your stay.
• Keep taking it for four weeks after leaving the at-risk area.
• Take two Avloclor tablets once a week, on the same day each week.
• Take two Paludrine tablets every day, at the same time each day.
• You can take the tablets after you’ve eaten.
• Swallow them whole with water.

Avoid giving this Anti-malarial Travel Pack to children under 1 year old. If your child is over 1 year of age, the appropriate dose varies by their age. Please ask your clinician for instructions on how to use it in children.

Paludrine reaches its peak plasma concentration level at three to four hours, whereas Avloclor can reach its highest levels in one to six hours. Even after one dose, the medicines can be detected in your blood for more than four weeks.^[1] Even after you’ve returned from your travels, it’s important to continue taking the medications to minimise the risk of malaria and ensure that there are no parasites in your blood.

If you accidentally take more Paludrine or Avloclor tablets than you should, seek urgent medical attention immediately (and bring the blister pack with you).

If you forget to take your Paludrine tablets, take them as soon as you remember. But if it’s close to the time of your next dose, skip the missed dose and wait till the next one. Don’t take a double dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you forget to take your Avloclor tablets, take them as soon as you remember, then wait exactly seven days before your next dose. Stick to this new day of the week to continue your treatment course.