Malaria/Botswana

[Maybeitllneverhappen]

Off on a dream safari in a month and sorting malaria tablets. Does anyone have any particular advice or warnings? Really getting worried about the "common side effects" which have listed diarrhea, as we are doing a few tiny plane hops as well as morning and afternoon animal watching. What the hell do I do with diarrhea on a 7 seater plane with no loo??!

I've had a course of tablets 3 times and never had that problem.
The label says take it with food, but eat something first, never on an empty stomach.

I grew up in South Africa and the malaria tablets used to be quite dangerous for some people especially of taken for a long time. These days they have been vastly improved and the ones the NHS gives are antibiotics and very safe. The old ones were infamous for giving people stomach upsets! I’ve had the new generation ones many times without issue.

I’ve taken Malerone several times, always with dinner and never had problems. And neither has my dh or adult dc. Set a reminder on your phone to take them at the same time each day, which is especially useful when you get home as you have to take them for a week after you leave the malarial area.

I haven't taken tablets in ages, but never had any gastro type issues with either Malarone or Larium, maybe a few weird dreams on Larium but certainly nothing psychotic. The GP gave me Doxycycline one time because I was trying to avoid the Larium option and that gave me migraines, luckily they told me to trial it at home so I ended up on Larium in the end. I imagine you have Malarone if it's a short trip.

Thank you everyone. Really reassuring information. I was beginning to worry about it. Xx