Need advice? Why not take a look at the questions below to see if we can help you out!
Still need answers? Call us on 0115 951 2092 or Email us.
> Can I buy Malarone, Lariam ( Mefloquine) or Doxycycline without a prescription?
> How can I order prescription medication?
> Are the more recent antimalarials stronger than the older preparations?
> Do I take the tablets morning and evening, or as a single dose?
> I am taking Warfarin as prescribed by my G.P., am I safe to take antimalarials?
> I am pregnant and wish to buy proguanil or chloroquine for my journey, am I safe to do so?
> Do you need to have the original prescription or will a copy be enough?
> I have a Private Prescription written by a Doctor who is not registered in the U.K.
> Can I have antimalarials on the N.H.S.?
| Can I buy Malarone, Lariam ( Mefloquine) or Doxycycline without a prescription? |
We do offer an online consultation service where one of our specially trained pharmacists can write a prescription for you, replacing the need to see your GP. See our Anti Malaria Online Consultation page for further details.
| How can I order prescription medication? |
You have TWO choices!
If you do not have a prescription then simply fill out one of our online consultations and one of our trained Pharmacist prescribers will assess your trip and medical details and where appropriate sign a prescription for our dispensary team allowing them to dispense your medication. Most requests are processed same day Monday to Friday if ordered before 3pm however please ensure you order in advance in case we are busy or there are queries with you order.
If you have been given a prescription by your GP then please select the option entitled “I already have a prescription”. You will be prompted to then post the ORIGINAL prescription to us at TravelPharm before proceeding to checkout. We attempt to post out medication the day after the prescription is received but wherever possible though please allow for weekends when we are not in the dispensary.
Please send your prescriptions to:
TravelPharm
Manor House
Merlin Way
Ilkeston
Derbyshire
DE7 4RA
See out delivery page for information on shipping times once your item is despatched from TravelPharm.
| Are the more recent antimalarials stronger than the older preparations? |
No, the malarial parasites have simply become resistant to the older formulations in some parts of the world, and hence newer preparations have been developed to overcome this problem.
| Do I take the tablets morning and evening, or as a single dose? |
The adult dose of Proguanil is two daily and Chloroquine two weekly. These two tablets should be taken at the same time each day in the case of Proguanil and at the same time each week in the case of Chloroquine.
What about the other anti-malarial’s??
It depends on the antimalarial you are taking. Atovaquone/Proguamil (Malarone) is a single daily dose which is best taken at the same time of day, each day and with a good meal. Doxycycline is again taken daily, preferably in the morning with a bit of food and a full glass of water. Failing to swallow Doxycycline with a full glass of water can lead to oesophagitis which is an irritation of the oesophagus (throat). This occurs when a capsule gets “stuck” and so it is best to swallow the medicine whilst upright and to refrain from lying down after taking the medicine. Mefloquine and Chloroquine are taken weekly on the same day each week and ideally at the same time. Proguanil is TWO tablets daily, and these must be taken together a single dose, not separate morning and evening doses.
| I am taking Warfarin as prescribed by my G.P., am I safe to take antimalarials? |
Some antimalarials will affect Warfarin levels, and you should always check first with your Doctor before taking other medication.
| I am pregnant and wish to buy proguanil or chloroquine for my journey, am I safe to do so? |
This is a question you must take up with your own Doctor. If pregnant, breastfeeding or hoping to start a family, and about to take antimalarials or following their recent use, it is vital that you discuss this fully with your G.P. before doing so.
Are you happy with this answer?
Travel to malaria risk zones whilst pregnant is not recommended for many reasons and advice to all would be mums is do not travel. If travel to a malaria zone is unavoidable then we must take precautions to ensure you do not contract malaria. All antimalarial medicines are unlicensed during pregnancy and breastfeeding so there needs to be a careful risk assessment carried out to ensure the risks are outweighed by the benefits.
Please call us on 0844 8221219 for further help or assistance as we may be in a position to help.
| Do you need to have the original prescription or will a copy be enough? |
The Medicines Act stipulates that we must be in receipt of the original prescription, and not a copy.
| I have a Private Prescription written by a Doctor who is not registered in the U.K. |
We are able to accept prescriptions that have been written by EU Registered Prescribers.
| Can I have antimalarials on the N.H.S.? |
No, these should be supplied against a private prescription only. The B.N.F. states ‘ Drugs for Malaria prophylaxis are not prescribable on the N.H.S.