Doxycycline Tablets For Malaria

About doxycycline for malaria

Key Points

• Anti malaria tablets taken once a day 
• Alternative treatment to Malarone and Lariam 
• 90% success rate in preventing malaria 
   

Buy doxycycline for malaria 

Order doxycycline malaria tablets today from our UK online pharmacy. You will need to complete an online consultation before purchase to ensure medication suitability. Once approved, your medication will be dispatched and delivered to your door.
 

What is doxycycline used for? 

Doxycycline 100mg capsules are used to prevent malaria, a serious infection spread by mosquitoes. It can also be used to treat other infections such as UTI’s, sexually transmitted diseases and chest and lung infections.
 

How does doxycycline work for malaria? 

Doxycycline is taken as an anti-malarial tablet to prevent malaria. It works by killing the malaria parasite, before it has the chance to reproduce and spread in the human body.
 

Why is doxycycline used for malaria? 

It is a generally a well-tolerated anti-malarial medicine found to be effective in both the prevention and treatment of malaria. Doxycycline has a long half-life and remains in the bloodstream for an extended period. This means it can successfully prevent and treat the disease with a once-daily dosing.
 

Does doxycycline work for preventing malaria? 

Doxycycline has a high success rate for preventing malaria when travelling abroad, particularly in locations where malaria parasites have developed resistance to other antimalarial drugs. 

Doxycycline for malaria dosage instructions

How do I take doxycycline to prevent malaria?  

Doxycycline dose for adults 

Doxycycline should be taken once a day, two days before entering the malaria zone, throughout your stay and for four weeks after leaving the area.  

It is important to complete the course, as the doxycycline continues working to kill any malarial parasites that may be in your body, even after you've left the area.  

It is a good idea to take capsules with milk to reduce the chance of stomach upset. It is also important to note that the capsule should be taken whilst in an upright position and should not be taken before bed or lying down.
 

How long does doxycycline take to work? 

When prescribed for malaria prophylaxis, which is the prevention of malaria, Doxycycline is taken 1-2 days before entering a malaria-endemic area so the drug can build up to effective levels in the bloodstream.  

When prescribed to treat malaria, the medication typically starts to work within a few days however this can vary based on how severe the infection is and the specific combination of drugs used. 

What if I forget to take a dose of doxycycline? 

Take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for the next one. It’s important to stick to the correct doxycycline dosage. Do not take two doses to make up for a forgotten one, as this can make you sick. 

Doxycycline side effects

Common side effects (up to 1 in 10 people) 

• Feeling or being sick 
• Worsening of systemic lupus erythematous - an allergic condition which causes joint pain, skin rash and fever headache 
• Pericarditis - inflammation affecting the heart 

Uncommon side effects (up to 1 in 100 people) 

• Heartburn 
• Vaginal infection 

Serious side effects are typically rare but can be severe. Stop using this medicine and get urgent medical attention if you experience any of the following serious side effects:  

• Sudden wheeziness, difficulty in breathing, chest pain 
• Fever, swelling of eyelids, face or lips 
• Rash or itching affecting the whole body 
• Upset stomach, loss of appetite 
• Severe, persistent or bloody diarrhoea – can be a sign of serious bowel inflammation 
• Fever, swollen lymph nodes or skin rash – can be a sign of a condition known as DRESS (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) which can be life-threatening 
• Very severe headache which may be associated with visual disturbances such as blurred vision, double vision or loss of vision 
• Serious illness with widespread severe blistering of the skin, mouth, eyes and genitals 

You should contact your doctor as soon as possible if you have: 

• The Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction which causes fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, and skin rash that is usually self-limiting 
• Skin that is more sensitive to sunlight. You may get a skin rash, itching, redness or severe sunburn - stop taking the medicine if this occurs 
• Inflammation and/or ulcers of the gullet 
• Blood disorders which can cause tiredness, easy bruising or infections 
• Low blood pressure 
• Increased heart rate 
• Aches in the joints or muscles 
• Stomach pain and diarrhoea
   

How long do doxycycline side effects last? 

Common side effects typically subside within a few days after you stop taking the medication. In some cases, mild symptoms may decrease as the body adjusts to the medication, even while you continue to take it. The duration of the side effect generally depends on the type, the response to the medication and how long doxycycline has been taken for. 

Doxycycline warnings

Before taking Doxycycline capsules speak to your doctor or pharmacist if: 

• You’re likely to be exposed to strong sunlight or UV light – there may be increased skin sensitivity when using this medicine 
• You have kidney or liver problems 
• You have porphyria 
• You have myasthenia gravis  
• You have or have ever had systemic lupus erythematosus  
• You are suspected of having syphilis 
• You are taking oral retinoids 
• You have diarrhoea or usually get diarrhoea when you take antibiotics or have suffered from problems with your stomach or intestines – it’s important to tell your GP immediately if you develop severe or prolonged or bloody diarrhoea during or after using Doxycycline since it may be necessary to interrupt the treatment

Please note: Doxycycline capsules may cause infections that cannot be treated with this antibiotic, particularly when used for a long time. You should inform your GP or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines without a prescription. 

Doxycycline for malaria and pregnancy

You should not take this medicine if you are pregnant, maybe pregnant or are considering pregnancy. Always seek medical advice before taking Doxycycline.  

Doxycycline and breastfeeding

Breast-feeding whilst taking doxycycline is not advised. Your GP or pharmacist can inform you of the best course of action for malaria protection. 

Doxycycline interactions

What medicine should you not take with doxycycline? 

Some medicines can reduce the effectiveness of Doxycycline and should not be taken at the same time of day as Doxycycline capsules, these include: 

• Antacids (indigestion remedies) 
• Iron preparations 
• Oral zinc  
• Bismuth  
• Medicines used to control epilepsy or as a sedative 

Doxycycline can also increase and reduce the action of some medicines, including: 

• Blood clot medication, warfarin or coumarins  
• Oral contraceptives 
• Penicillin antibiotics  
• Blood levels of ciclosporin, used to affect the body’s immune response 
• General anesthetic for an operation or dental surgery – this may increase side effects 

Doxycycline and paracetamol 

It is generally safe to take doxycycline and paracetamol together. This can be effective for treating bacterial infections and associated symptoms like pain and fever; however, you should always consult your GP first before taking any other medicines with doxycycline.  
 

Doxycycline and alcohol 

Alcohol may reduce the effect of doxycycline for malaria and should be avoided.  

Doxycycline for malaria alternatives

Doxycycline vs Malarone 

Malarone is a medication that contains atovaquone (an antiprotozoal agent) and proguanil (an antimalarial) and is used to both treat and prevent malaria caused by mosquito bites. 

It is typically given to travellers who are visiting malaria-endemic areas. The medication kills malaria parasites that live inside red blood cells or other tissues in the body. Malarone is taken once per day, starting from one or two days before a trip to a malaria-endemic area, during the trip, and for seven days after leaving. 

Doxycycline for malaria prevention

Doxycycline tablets can be used to prevent malaria and are particularly effective in areas with multidrug-resistant P. falciparum. It is usually taken once per day, starting from one or two days before a trip to a malaria-endemic area, during the trip, and for a month after leaving.  

Doxycycline has over a 90% success rate in preventing malaria when used alongside other preventative measures, such as using insect repellent and sleeping in a mosquito net. 

Doxycycline ingredients

Active ingredient: doxycycline hyclate 

Inactive ingredients: gelatin, magnesium stearate, shellac glaze, sodium lauryl sulfate, starch, quinoline yellow (E104), erythrosine (E127), patent blue V (E131), titanium dioxide (E171), iron oxide black (E172), and propylene glycol 

Sources

1. NHS UK. (n.d.). Malaria. Retrieved August 26, 2024, from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/malaria/

2. NHS UK. (n.d.). How and When to Take Doxycycline. Retrieved August 26, 2024, from https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/doxycycline/how-and-when-to-take-doxycycline/