Malaria tablets

[SazzaC]

Hi everyone, am I the process of looking at a holiday. I know yellow fever vaccine is a big no no. Am on hydroxycarbamide and daily aspirin with a diagnosis of ET. Has anyone taken malaria tablets with such a condition? TIA.

[EPguy]

You probably are referring to Plaquenil (HCQ). It's used long term for certain auto immunes, (A-I) evil Sjogren's being my relevant example. For A-I it's used long term.

In short term, watch out for tinnitus. It's not common on HCQ but can lead to permanent hearing loss. I failed this therapy for this reason, quit before I had loss.

I'm PV on Rux.

[KLCTJC]

EP guy is right they may want you to take plaquinel. I looked up to see if their are any interactions and looks like only if you have a prolonged QT is it a problem. Most people don’t have this issue. But I want to say doxycycline can work as malaria prevention and their should be no issues if you aren’t allergic. Does make you more sensitive to the sun but just wear appropriate clothes, hat, blah,blah 🙂. I would ask about it. And make sure to take it with lots of food. I prescribe both drugs daily! So very familiar with them. Ask your doctor and they can guide you! Have a great trip!!!!!

[EPguy in reply to KLCTJC]

Your note of other options lead me to look more. This page has a large list of options and trade offs. They show 6 options, I would never have guessed so many.

Atovaquone/Proguanil (Malarone), Chloroquine, Doxycycline, Mefloquine, Primaquine, Tafenoquine (ArakodaTM)

cdc.gov/malaria/travelers/d...

Seems to matter for some meds where the particular destination is.

[SazzaC]

Thanks everyone for your input, we have opted for South africa and no malaria tablets required.....playing it safe.