Malaria meds for Paksitan - Chloroquine vs Malarone

I am headed to Pakistan in July. I'm going to take Atovaquone/Proguanil (Malarone). I live in the States and I went to the Center for Diseases website and looked at Pakistan. That site (and others) indicates that malaria has become resistant to Chloroquine in that Country. I'm not going to take chances. I'd rather pay more and reduce my odds of getting malaria. If you get it, it will cost you a lot more!

Malarone is generally considered the most effective malaria prevention medicine and has very minimal side effects. It's also the most expensive. Doxycycline is a cheaper alternative with a relatively low number of side effects. If you decide to take an anti-malrial pill and money isn't an issue I'd suggest Malarone.

That being said, there's a huge debate around anti-malarials and everybody has there favorites/own opinions.

Chloroquine is not effective in Pakistan. Ten malaria parasites have become too resistant to it.

Mefloquine (Lariam, Mefliam, Mephaquin and many others), doxycycline (Vibramycin and many others), and atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone, Malanil) are all effective.

Which one is right for you depends on your health history, your allergies, your age, your gender, and, sometimes your pocketbook. You also need to consider if you have some personal health issue that would mean that you are at higher risk of serious complications should you get malaria. This is something only you & your doctor can figure out.

Health Information for Travelers to Pakistan from the US CDC.

i took malarone when i first came - took it all through mongolia, china, india and pak and never had odd side effects - so i guess i was on it for about 8 months and it was fine. i've been here for five years and i actually stopped taking it pretty soon after i got to pakistan as i just kept forgetting to take it and then it ran out. it may be that you DO need to take it but i'm not sure how man visitors actually do.

Thanks everyone, looks like Malarone it is!!!

Better get advice/proscription from your travel doctor rather then getting unqualified medical advices from TTers.

We're just sharing our personal experiences K2 heights. And some of us TTers have quite a lot of experience with anti-malarial meds. The OP will have to go through the proper medical channels to get the prescription regardless.

one of the odd side effects of the drug Larium is, you dont know you are having a side effect.