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Require Medicine Of Malaria, Dehydration, Diarrhea For Self Medication Due To Change In Country.

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Posted on Sat, 7 Jul 2012
Question: Hi, I live in New Delhi,India right now & would be visiting Madagascar(Africa) for business purpose for 2-3 months(will be staying in Antananarivo,capital).
Can you please prescribe medicine for Malaria (preventive and curative both), Dehydration & Diarrhea for self medication and method & frequency of taking the medicine with probable side effects?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (1 hour later)
Hello and thanks for the query.
No anti malaria medicine is 100% protective and you have to adopt additional measures for protection like using mosquito repellant,using long sleeves,using long pants,using bed net in the night.
Since MADAGASCAR has chloroquine resistance,you have to use other medicines like malarone,doxycycline,primaquin and mefloquin.
You may use MEFLOQUIN in the dose of 250 mg once a week,after meals and preferably on the same day with plenty of water ( for prophylaxis ) 
This has to be started two weeks prior to the travel and is continued for 4 weeks after the travel.

Same MEFLOQUIN can be used in the dose of 1250 mg (Five tablets of MEFLOQUIN of 250 mg) if malaria takes place.

For diarrhea,generally there is no need for any medicines as it becomes alright in couple of days but,if fever or blood and mucus is there and diarrhea goes beyond 2 days ,then doctor should be consulted.
An over the counter medicine LOPERAMIDE may be used initially as it reduces the frequency of diarrhea.
For dehydration use ORS and liquids in plenty.

I hope to have answered your query however you can revert to me for any further query.
Thanks and best of luck.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (2 hours later)
Hello doctor,

Thanks for the prompt reply. But I am leaving within 3-4 days itself, so won't be able to start medication of MEFLOQUIN( which is to be started 2 wekks before).
Can you recommend other medicines with dosage and by which name they are available in the market.
Also pls tell by what name is MEFLOQUIN,LOPERMIDE available in market (company/salts etc.)

doctor
Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (4 hours later)
Hello
For last minute travelers like you ,you can take either of following two medicines
1st MALARONE is a combination pill consisting of 250 mg ATOVAQUONE and 100 mg of PROGUANIL take once a day with meals starting 2 days before arrival,continuing through the trip and for 7 days after the departure.
Side effects are mild consisting of slight abdominal pain,nausea,vomiting,headache,diarrhea etc.
Serious side effects are very rare.
It should be used in people having renal insufficiency.
It is a costly drug.

2nd. Doxycycline can be taken 100 mg daily with meals and one should not lie down immediately.
It is taken 2 days before arrival,continuing through the trip and for four weeks after the departure.
It can cause sunburn so effective sunscreen should be used daily.
It should be avoided by people having liver disease or people taking hepatotoxic drugs,people having lupus and myasthenia gravis.
It is a cheap drug.

Loperamide is available by the name of immodium.
Thanks
Regards
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1978

Answered : 6704 Questions

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Require Medicine Of Malaria, Dehydration, Diarrhea For Self Medication Due To Change In Country.

Hello and thanks for the query.
No anti malaria medicine is 100% protective and you have to adopt additional measures for protection like using mosquito repellant,using long sleeves,using long pants,using bed net in the night.
Since MADAGASCAR has chloroquine resistance,you have to use other medicines like malarone,doxycycline,primaquin and mefloquin.
You may use MEFLOQUIN in the dose of 250 mg once a week,after meals and preferably on the same day with plenty of water ( for prophylaxis ) 
This has to be started two weeks prior to the travel and is continued for 4 weeks after the travel.

Same MEFLOQUIN can be used in the dose of 1250 mg (Five tablets of MEFLOQUIN of 250 mg) if malaria takes place.

For diarrhea,generally there is no need for any medicines as it becomes alright in couple of days but,if fever or blood and mucus is there and diarrhea goes beyond 2 days ,then doctor should be consulted.
An over the counter medicine LOPERAMIDE may be used initially as it reduces the frequency of diarrhea.
For dehydration use ORS and liquids in plenty.

I hope to have answered your query however you can revert to me for any further query.
Thanks and best of luck.