Chloroquine - malaria tablets

[Sharpkat]

Has anyone taken chloroquine before? Been advised to take it as going to Dominican Republic at Christmas.

Don't plan to leave the hotel so risk is less but it is still advised.

Just want to know if side effects are bad.

TIA

Sharpkat

Yes, you should always take the recommended malaria prophylaxis, and also use lots of insect repellent. The mosquitos don't know what's a hotel when they are flying around. Malaria can be a very serious condition and it is simply not one to take chances with.

Yes, there is the possibility of side effects with all chemoprophylaxis, but these are far less than the risks of the disease. Here's an info sheet. A really important thing to remember is that you must remember to take it for the full 4 weeks after, as the infective agent can still circulate in the body for that long after exposure and it takes only one bite, which you might not even notice has happened.

I have IBS and managed to take Chloroquine with no problems. Please take scaevola's advice, malaria is a serious illness. My friend's husband died from malaria.

Chloroquine is generally well tolerated. Use it in conjunction with bite avoidance strategies such as repellent, covering limbs from dusk onwards, keeping doors and windows shut and air conditioning on and avoiding standing water.

Staying in the hotel doesn't guarantee not getting bitten so yes malarial prophylaxis would be advised.

Thanks all. Really appreciate the advice. Will get to the chemist.