The most effective malaria tablets in the UK depend on your specific destination, travel itinerary, and personal health profile — but the three most commonly prescribed antimalarials are atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone), doxycycline, and mefloquine (Lariam), each offering high levels of protection when taken correctly and consistently. Malarone is widely regarded as the most convenient option for many travellers due to its favourable side effect profile and shorter pre and post-travel dosing schedule, while doxycycline is a cost-effective alternative that also provides protection against other travel-related infections. Mefloquine is taken weekly rather than daily and suits longer trips, but carries a more significant list of contraindications and potential side effects that require careful assessment before prescribing. At Edinburgh Travel Clinic, our specialist travel health nurses assess your destination-specific malaria risk, medical history, and individual circumstances to prescribe the antimalarial that is right for you — so you can travel knowing you have the most appropriate protection in place.
Getting the right antimalarial tablets starts with the right advice. Book a consultation with Edinburgh Travel Clinic today and let our specialist team recommend the most appropriate malaria protection for your destination and circumstances.
Key Takeaways
- The three main antimalarial tablets prescribed in the UK are atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone), doxycycline, and mefloquine (Lariam).
- No antimalarial is 100% effective — tablets must always be combined with bite prevention measures for maximum protection.
- The right antimalarial depends on your destination, trip length, medical history, and current medications.
- Malarone is taken daily from 1–2 days before travel and for 7 days after returning, making it ideal for shorter trips.
- Doxycycline is a cost-effective alternative that also offers protection against leptospirosis and some other travel infections.
- Antimalarials are prescription-only medications in the UK and must be obtained from a qualified healthcare professional.
Why Malaria Prevention is Essential for Travellers
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. The global impact of malaria is staggering, with WHO figures from 2022 showing an estimated 249 million cases and over 600,000 deaths in a single year, most of which occurred in sub-Saharan Africa.
From sub-Saharan Africa and South and Southeast Asia to Central and South America and parts of the Middle East and Pacific, malaria poses a real and potentially serious risk to UK travellers visiting a wide range of destinations around the world. The most dangerous species is Plasmodium falciparum, which predominates in sub-Saharan Africa and can progress to severe, life-threatening disease within 24 hours if left untreated. Symptoms typically appear between seven days and several weeks after a bite and include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue — symptoms that can easily be mistaken for flu.
There is no vaccine currently available for malaria for the general travel population in the UK, making antimalarial medication and personal protective measures the primary strategies for prevention. Starting antimalarial tablets before travel, taking them correctly throughout your trip, and continuing them after you return are all equally important steps in ensuring their effectiveness.
Comparing the Main Malaria Tablets Available in the UK
Each of the three main antimalarials prescribed in the UK has its own dosing schedule, suitability profile, and considerations. The table below provides a clear side-by-side comparison to help you understand the key differences before your consultation.
| Feature | Atovaquone/Proguanil (Malarone) | Doxycycline | Mefloquine (Lariam) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dosing frequency | Once daily | Once daily | Once weekly |
| Start before travel | 1–2 days before | 2 days before | 2–3 weeks before |
| Continue after return | 7 days | 4 weeks | 4 weeks |
| Minimum age/weight | Adult formulation: over 40 kg; paediatric formulation available for lighter children (seek clinician advice) | 12 years | 5 kg body weight |
| Suitable in pregnancy | Not recommended | Not recommended | May be considered following an individual risk–benefit assessment (seek clinician advice) |
| Key side effects | Nausea, headache, abdominal pain | Photosensitivity, gastrointestinal upset, thrush | Neuropsychiatric effects, vivid dreams, dizziness |
| Key contraindications | Severe renal impairment | Pregnancy, children under 12 years | Psychiatric history, seizure disorders, cardiac conduction disorders |
| Best suited for | Short to medium trips; last-minute travel | Longer trips; budget-conscious travellers | Longer trips where weekly dosing is preferred |
| Prescription required | Yes | Yes | Yes |
It is important to note that chloroquine and proguanil (taken separately rather than in combination) are also available but are now only recommended for a very limited number of destinations due to widespread resistance. Your travel health clinician will advise whether these remain appropriate for your specific itinerary. Call us to book a consultation and get your antimalarial prescription.
Which Malaria Tablets Are Right for You?
Choosing the right antimalarial is never a one-size-fits-all decision. The most appropriate tablet for you depends on a combination of factors including the specific malaria risk at your destination, the length of your trip, your age, whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding, your current medications, and any relevant medical history.
Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone) is frequently the first-choice option for travellers visiting high-risk destinations such as sub-Saharan Africa, owing to its high efficacy against P. falciparum, its favourable tolerability profile, and the convenience of starting just one to two days before travel. It is particularly well suited to shorter trips and last-minute travel planning. However, it is generally the most expensive of the three options and is not recommended for those with severe renal impairment.
Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that doubles as an effective antimalarial. It is considerably more cost-effective than Malarone, making it a popular choice for longer trips or budget-conscious travellers. Its main drawbacks include an increased sensitivity to sunlight — which requires careful sun protection measures — and the need to continue taking it for four weeks after returning home. It is not suitable for children under 12 or for use during pregnancy.
Mefloquine (Lariam) offers the significant practical advantage of weekly rather than daily dosing, which some travellers find easier to maintain over extended trips. However, it must be started two to three weeks before travel to assess tolerability, and it carries a well-documented risk of neuropsychiatric side effects including vivid dreams, anxiety, depression, and in rare cases more serious psychological disturbances. It is contraindicated in those with a personal or family history of psychiatric illness, seizure disorders, or certain cardiac conditions.
With three effective options available, getting the right prescription is all about expert individual assessment. Contact us to book a consultation with Edinburgh Travel Clinic today and let our specialist team make the decision straightforward.
Where to Get Malaria Tablets in the UK
All antimalarial medications in the UK are prescription-only, meaning they cannot be purchased over the counter without a consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. While some GP surgeries offer antimalarial prescriptions, many do not — and NHS provision for travel health advice and antimalarial prescriptions is inconsistent across different areas of the UK.
A dedicated travel health clinic such as Edinburgh Travel Clinic offers the most reliable, efficient, and expert route to obtaining antimalarial tablets. Our travel health nurses have specialist training in destination-specific malaria risk and are up to date with the latest UKHSA and NaTHNaC guidance, ensuring that the antimalarial prescribed for you is based on current evidence and tailored precisely to your itinerary. Ideally, your consultation should take place at least four to six weeks before travel, though last-minute appointments are available for those with imminent departure dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have answered the malaria tablet questions our travellers ask us most often below and our specialist team is always on hand if you need more personalised advice.
Are malaria tablets available on the NHS?
Antimalarial tablets for travel purposes are not routinely available on the NHS and are typically obtained privately through a travel health clinic or pharmacy. At Edinburgh Travel Clinic, you will have access to all three main antimalarials alongside personalised, destination-specific advice from our specialist team, ensuring the prescription you leave with is the right one for your trip and your health.
Can I take malaria tablets if I am pregnant?
Malarone and doxycycline are not recommended during pregnancy, while mefloquine can be considered during pregnancy — including the first trimester — following a careful risk-benefit assessment with a qualified clinician, as it is not contraindicated in any trimester under current UK guidance. Pregnant women are strongly advised to avoid travel to high-risk malaria areas where possible, and any decision regarding antimalarial use during pregnancy should always be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.
How effective are malaria tablets?
When taken correctly and consistently, antimalarial tablets are highly effective — atovaquone/proguanil offers protection rates of over 95%, while doxycycline offers approximately 92–96% protection against Plasmodium falciparum malaria in clinical studies. However, no antimalarial is 100% effective, which is why bite prevention measures remain an essential complement to medication for all travellers in malaria-risk areas.
What happens if I miss a dose of my malaria tablets?
If you miss a dose of a daily antimalarial such as Malarone or doxycycline, take it as soon as you remember and then continue with your regular schedule — do not double up doses. If you miss a dose of mefloquine, take it as soon as possible if it is not too close to the time of your next scheduled dose, and contact a healthcare professional if you are unsure what to do.
Can children take malaria tablets?
Yes — antimalarial tablets are available for children, though the appropriate medication and dosing depends on the child’s age and weight. Doxycycline is not suitable for children under 12; atovaquone/proguanil is available in both adult and paediatric formulations dosed by body weight; and mefloquine can be used in children weighing 5kg or more — your travel health clinician will advise on the most appropriate option for your child.
Do I still need malaria tablets if I have had malaria before?
Yes — previous infection with malaria does not provide reliable or lasting immunity against future infection, and antimalarial tablets are still strongly recommended for anyone travelling to a malaria-risk destination regardless of prior exposure. The level of partial immunity that does develop after repeated infections in endemic populations is not sufficient to protect a returning traveller who has been living in a low-risk country.
The Right Malaria Tablets Could Save Your Life
Malaria is a serious, potentially fatal disease — but with the right antimalarial tablets, consistent bite prevention, and expert pre-travel advice, it is also one of the most effectively preventable travel-related illnesses. The key is getting the right prescription for your specific destination and circumstances, starting your tablets at the correct time, and completing the full course even after you return home.
Our specialist travel health team at Edinburgh Travel Clinic is dedicated to making sure no traveller heads to a malaria-risk destination without the right prescription in their bag, the right information in their head, and the confidence to stay safe wherever their journey takes them. Give yourself the protection you deserve. Book now and travel knowing your malaria prevention plan is in expert hands.