Doxycycline Malaria Prevention

Doxycycline Capsules

What is Doxycycline?

Doxycycline is an effective medication used for the prevention (prophylaxis) of malaria that should be started before your holiday. It stops the malaria parasite from growing inside your body and, if used correctly, can be highly effective. While taking doxycycline you should also try to limit your exposure to mosquito bites.

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How do I take Doxycycline for malaria?

Doxycycline should be taken once daily. This should be at a consistent time and with plenty of water (without it you can cause irritation to your throat).

If you’re headed to a malaria risk area:

  • Start treatment two days before you visit

  • Take once a day while you’re visiting

  • Keep taking once a day for four weeks after visiting

How does Doxycycline work?

The doxycycline hyclate in Doxycycline stops malaria by inhibits protein synthesis within the Plasmodium parasite (specifically in its apicoplast organelle), preventing its growth and multiplication. This effectively starves and kills the parasite.

What are the side effects of Doxycycline?

Side effects from Doxycycline are uncommon and usually mild. However, they can include:

  • Headaches

  • Sore throat

  • Nausea

  • Diarrhoea

  • Vaginal yeast infections

  • Increased sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity), leading to severe sunburn

If you start to feel any side effects from Doxycycline, talk to your doctor. If you want more information on Doxycycline, read through its patient information leaflet.

How effective is Doxycycline?

Doxycycline is a highly effective malaria prevention medication if:

  • You protect yourself from mosquito bites (insect repellant, mosquito nets, etc.)

  • You take your tablets consistently / properly (see above)

Doxycycline will start working 1 or 2 days after starting treatment, which is why it is important that you start before you travel.

Malaria medicines

Frequently asked questions

Do not take Doxycycline if you’re allergic to any of the ingredients, pregnant or breast-feeding.

While Doxycycline is an effective malaria treatment, it might not be suitable for where you’re travelling. Check in advance via this tool.

You may not be able to take certain medication while on doxycycline. For this reason, make sure you tell us about any medicines you are taking - prescription, over-the-counter or others - during your consultation with us.

Yes, there are other malaria treatments. These include:

  • Malarone

  • Atovaquone with Proguanil (generic Malarone)

These may be more suitable for your destination (see the tool mentioned above).

It is also important that you protect yourself from mosquito bites to limit exposure in the first place. You can do this by:

  • Wearing long clothing in the evening

  • Using insect repellant like DEET

  • Setting up and sleeping under a mosquito net

  • Treating any mosquito nets with insecticide