Malarone

Order Malarone Or Generic Online

Written by Clinical Pharmacist Hywel McGlinchy

You can buy Malarone online with Simple Online Pharmacy for your trip abroad. Whether you are on Safari in Africa, island hopping through Indonesia or seeing India's rural wonders, malaria is a threat that should be taken seriously. 

You can order Malarone or generic Malarone tablets through our registered online doctor service. After completing the online consultation, our doctor will review your assessment and prescribe the selected medication where appropriate. Our pharmacy will then dispense and dispatch your prescription to your door.

What is Malarone?

Malarone is an antimalarial medicine primarily used to prevent or treat malaria. Malaria is caused by an infected mosquito biting a person. This bite can then pass on the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum into the blood. Entering a malaria area without the necessary precautions can be dangerous - in 2019 malaria claimed over 400,000 lives worldwide.

Malarone is the original branded version of the combination medication, atovaquone, and proguanil hydrochloride. The original patent for the brand has now expired, which means there are now less expensive versions of Malarone available. 

Sometimes known as 'generic Malarone’ or ‘cheap Malarone’, these options contain the same active ingredients as the original brand and are medically equivalent. These are still manufactured to the highest standards, but generic versions are significantly cheaper than the original branded version.

Visit the NHS Fit For Travel site before completing the online consultation. It will help you find out if Malarone is the antimalarial you require for your trip.

Malarone effectiveness

To be protected from the moment you enter the malaria risk area, you must begin taking the tablets 1-2 days before you travel. For maximum effectiveness, ensure you follow the directions for use closely.

A study on Malarone’s effectiveness found that it gave over 95% protection for malaria. This can be further improved by using preventative measures such as mosquito nets, insect repellents and wearing long sleeve protective clothing.

How to take Malarone

The course of tablets should be started 1-2 days before entering a malarial zone.

The adult dose is one tablet daily. It should be taken with food or a milky drink. The tablets are started 1-2 days before travelling to the area. Continue to take one each day while in the area, and continue to take one tablet daily for seven days after leaving.

This medicine is preferred by some people due to the need to be taken for only 7 days after returning. Some alternative medicines require 28 days of treatment after returning.

How it works

Malarone works by killing the parasite that causes malaria. As you start taking the medication the drug builds up in your body. When you enter the at-risk zone, there should be high enough levels of the drug in your body to kill the parasite. This can protect you if you are bitten by a carrier mosquito. 

Malarone Price

The price of the branded version is significantly more expensive than atovaquone/proguanil (generic Malarone). Both medications are medically equivalent and contain the same active ingredients.

Our Malarone prices are checked weekly, and we always aim to have the cheapest Malarone price online. As we have the lowest price guarantee, we will match any price you find cheaper elsewhere.

Malarone Summary

Side Effects

Malarone is a well-tolerated medicine, however, as with any medication you take, there is always a risk of side effects occurring. Some are more common than others, and often side effects may subside with the regular usage of the medicine. If the side effects do not subside, you should report them to us, or your GP.

Common side effects include headaches, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhoea. It can also cause other common side effects like dizziness, insomnia and a rash.

Other side effects are more serious. You should stop taking this medicine if you experience them and report these to your doctor immediately. Severe side effects include a blistering skin rash, peeling skin, or signs of an allergic reaction.

For a complete list of side effects, please read the patient information leaflet.

Malarone Alternatives

Other malaria tablets available from our online doctor include 

• Doxycycline
• Lariam (mefloquine)

You should also use bite prevention measures to minimise the risk of bites or contraction of the disease. Using insect repellents containing DEET, wearing long sleeve clothing and using mosquito nets, are all methods of ensuring you are reducing your risk of contracting malaria.

Read more about Malaria or visit the NHS choices website for further information.

FAQ

What is the dosage of Malarone?

This medicine is taken daily, starting 1-2 days before entering the malarial zone. You continue to take it each day on your trip and for 7 days after leaving the malarial zone.

How much is Malarone?

The tablets can vary in price depending on the quantity required. Prices range from £2.25 per tablet to £3.10 per tablet. Generic Malarone is a cheaper and medically equivalent version of the original brand.

How effective is Malarone?

It is important to know, that no anti-malaria tablet offers 100% protection against malaria. Although the risk is greatly reduced, you should still take measures to protect against bites. This includes measures like covering your skin and applying insect repellent.

How long do I need to take Malarone Tablets?

You need to take this medicine every day for the length of your stay in a malarial zone. It must also be taken for 7 days after leaving and 1-2 days before entering.

What are the alternatives to Malarone?

Depending on where you are travelling, you may also be able to take Lariam or Doxycycline. The NHS fit for travel website will give information as to which anti-malarial you need.

What is the difference between branded and generic Malarone?

Malarone contains the active ingredients Atovaquone 250mg and Proguanil 100mg. Medically there are no differences between the brand and "Generic Malarone", as they both contain the same active ingredients.

Can I buy Malarone over the counter?

Malarone, in the UK, is a prescription-only medication. This means it cannot be bought over the counter at a pharmacy. A doctor must assess whether it is suitable for you. You can request to buy generic Malarone online at Simple Online Pharmacy.

How does Malarone work?

It works by killing the parasite (P. falciparum) which causes malaria.

Is there a generic version of Malarone?

Yes, the generic form is Atovaquone and Proguanil. Atovaquone and Proguanil are the names of the drugs which are in the original brand. As long as it is purchased from a reliable source (a registered UK pharmacy) then the strength and ingredients will be the same as the branded version.

How many Malarone tablets do I need?

To calculate how many tablets you need, simply add 9 to the number of days you will be spending in the malarial zone. This accounts for the time spent in the area, 2 tablets before leaving, and 7 for when you arrive back.

Will Malarone affect the contraceptive pill?

No, there is no evidence that this antimalarial medicine will affect the contraceptive pills effectiveness.

Written by Qualified Experts

All of our medication and condition content is writted by UK qualified pharmacists and doctors.

Author Authored By: Hywel McGlinchy GPhC Registration: 2071234 Date Authored: 12/03/2023

Reviewer Reviewed By: Karim Nassar GPhC Registration: 2064752 Last reviewed on: 12/03/2024

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

• Malarone PIL
• Atovaquone / Proguanil / Generic Malarone PIL

Warnings and precautions

This medicine may not be suitable for everyone to take. When completing your assessment with Simple Online Pharmacy, ensure you provide us with all the information requested for your safety.

Do not take this medicine if:

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Are allergic to any listed ingredient
• Have kidney problems

Other medicines

Some medicines can interact with Malarone. It is important that you discuss your suitability further with a doctor if you take warfarin, metoclopramide, tetracycline, rifampicin, rifabutin, HIV treatments or cancer treatments. See the patient information leaflet for a complete list of interactions with medicines.

Although this medicine can be used to treat malaria, the dose provided is for the prevention of malaria when entering a malaria zone only. If you believe you have malaria and need treatment, seek medical attention immediately.