Malaria risk?

Of course, doctors are going to do what they get paid for – they don't get all-expense golfing and brothel packages from drug comps by telling you the truth.

It's just my opinion but it'd be silly to take it. Yes, there are side-effects, sometimes quite vile ones. I know someone who had absurd hallucinations and nightmares for days after being on it, which is not an uncommon effect and probably not the state you're going to want to be conquering Roatan in.

http://boards.bootsnall.com/malarone-side-effects-t25814.html

Others will disagree (maybe vehemently), but how about coming up with a single case of a tourist getting it there, EVER?

Some may feel that concrete bunkers to protect from falling space debris will be a necessity too, and I can promise that some folks would be glad to take your money to build one for you.

most people visit without getting malaria. of course there is always a chance, but medication is available.

Personally, if I were concerned I would check and discuss with my doctor. Maybe ask them about starting immediately so any side effects were apparent before spoiling your travels, giving time to go back and asking about alternatives if you did have problems.

One thing to note is that malaria has a longish incubation period (i.e. not bitten one evening then suffering the next day but 10 days to 4 weeks after infection before symptoms start). Thus, in areas of risk most visitors will be taking precautions, the few that don't follow advice will not start suffering until they get home or move on - so they can no longer recount their woes to their below travellers.

I would strongly suggest taking medical advice rather than following comments from unknown types (like me) who are not medically trained, have no knowledge of the real data, etc. Check on expert web sites (e.e. CDC) and take medical advice.

Ian

I have discussed this thoroughly with my doctor. I am not seeking medical advice. I just wanted to see if anyone had many side effects while taking the meds. There is always the possibility of side effects with any medication so just wanted to gauge the possiblility while taking Malarone.

If you have "discussed" this thoroughly with your doctor but did not discuss side effects, then you did not discuss it thoroughly.

Yes, side effects are frequent and often nasty. You can read thousands of cases online. Nobody gets malaria on Roatan. Have fun...

My doctor did discuss side effects. I just wanted to know people's first hand experience that have actually taken it. And I have heard people have gotten malaria in Roatan hence why I am taking the drugs.

Yes, side effects are frequent and often nasty. You can read thousands of cases online.

I believe you may be confusing Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil) with mefloquine (Lariam,Mefliam, Mephaquin and many other brand names).

There are few reported (or anecdotal) side effects of Malarone. The most common are headache, stomach ache, and loose stools. In clinical trials, 3-5% of users reported these problems. Side effects are more common at the higher does used for treatment than for Malarone taken to prevent malaria.

The more lurid side effects that you hear of via the grapevine are generally for mefloquine.

Sorry, you're right that I was confusing it with Mefloqine (Lariam), though I do know (and was with) people who had the reactions themselves, including one serious one, so it's not all grapeviney.

To be fair, many sites DO list Malarone hallucinations, nightmares, etc.,

http://malaria.emedtv.com/malarone/malarone-reactions.html

...but as others have mentioned, fishing for medical truth on the internet is a gamble at best.

1 data point point does not a summer make, however.... I have taken everything available (from Paludrine through Larium, including Malarone) off and on, on several continents, for a total of many years, and have never experienced any side effects. Furthermore, having lived, worked, and travelled with many others in the same situation, I have never heard of anyone's experiencing significant side effects with Malarone.

Hope this answers your specific question.