Buying Malaria medicine in Mexico
 

Anyone know of the feasability of buying malaria pills in Mexico. I've gotten a prescription from my local doctor but the pills here in Northern Virginia are over $6 a piece which means over $1k in pills (eeek).

Thanks,
HughC

Hi,

It should be cheaper in MEX. I found out, the cheapest you get it in places, where Malaria occurs.

you really want to eat all that stuff ??? The advice you get from long term residents (foreigners) is: Mosquito net, repellent and try not to get stung. All the stuff you take in advance in most cases covers the desease - flu like symtoms - and you have a heavy fall back later. Get yourself a Emergency Kit (for remote places with no Doc around) and see a Doc if you feel really bad. They can find out in half an our whats up (blood observation by microscope).

This is my personal opinion. Talk with your Doc about it.

In eastern Africa I would take Doxicyline (has side efects but it really works) because of the cerebral Malaria, they have there. That might wipe you out in 2 days.

save rides


sam

Well, long term residents of these areas don't take malaria pills because of the possible long term side effects, NOT because they're ineffective against malaria.

However, your best protection is long sleeves, mosquito netting at night (don't rely on the mosquito netting in cheap hotels, it frequently has holes in it), and use mosquito repellent with DEET, especially at sunset.

Having said that, where are you going in Mexico? The north and central part of the country should be safe, the Yucatan and Central America are not. Pills should only be started a couple of weeks before entering a malarious area. Also, remember to keep them cool as possible.

I'd suggest doing a search on the HUBB for malaria (see the Search box in the upper right of any page). There's been quite a lot posted on this topic, and some strong opinions! See the following posts for a good overview.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000004.html

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000014.html


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Susan Johnson

"It matters not what goal you seek
Its secret here reposes:
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Edgar Guest

'One world, two wheels'
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Thanks for the links and tips. I plan on traveeling to Terra del Fuego and back. I wanted to purchase the Malaria pills as soon as possible. Does one need any sort of prescription to buy malaria pills in Mexico or Central America? I'll also take precautions to avoid getting stung.

Thanks
HughC