Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Staying Healthy on the Road
Staying Healthy on the Road Medical info, e.g. malaria, vaccinations, travel medical tips, medical insurance, where to find a doctor.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 18 Aug 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: North East England
Posts: 48
Doxycycline or malarone cheaper in Spain??

Does anyone know if it is possible to buy either of the above anti malarials in Spain (or Morocco) more cheaply than in UK?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 19 Aug 2008
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 381
hi

isnt doxy about 2p a tablet in the uk anyway?
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 19 Aug 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: North East England
Posts: 48
Possibly - we have been mainly researching Malarone, which seems to have the least side effects and for the length of time we need, it is very expensive - so any information on the above query will still be useful, thanks!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 19 Aug 2008
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 381
just one other thing concerning side effects, i'm probably going to give doxy a go personally for probably a six month plus stint in africa, £2 per tab vs 2p suddenly becomes an easier choice! but, african sun plus sunlight sensitivity from doxy may be very silly obviously.
my plan was to try doxy here in the uk summer sunshine. the day before i got a fortnights worth was the last of a very hot spell, since ive been taking them its been cloudy, rainy stormy etc!
however, i have become a little redder than usual in the sunshine we have had (i work outside) and as long as i dont lie down having taken one with food and water (not milk) no problems.

sorry if you think all this a little off topic, but its just a long winded way of saying try before you go!!!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 21 Aug 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: chch,nz
Posts: 89
doxy useless

Hi just thought you'd like to know i got malaria taking doxycycline in nth namibia and used malarone as a treatment in angola,no problem with sunburn but the doxy did'nt work for me.I've used lariam and chloroquine no problem b4 it ended my trip up the west coast to the uk,i got real sick and could'nt carry on,still not that great now.ron.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 21 Aug 2008
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
in a barcelona pharmacy today:

Malarone (250mg, 12 units) EUR 55
Doxycycline (100mg, 16 units) EUR 2,39
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 25 Aug 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Poole, Dorset
Posts: 51
Doxycycline - cheap, great treatment for tick bite fever but a compete waste of time and money as an antimalarial.

My personal favourite is Deltaprim made in Zimbabwe (even now) and it is available in Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Only one tablet a week, and it is cheap. One years supply for my family cost £15!!!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 25 Aug 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: North East England
Posts: 48
Thanks for all the help. However, I'm a bit baffled by the previous poster's comments on doxy being useless for malaria - on what authority does he have that info, I wonder, since reliable UK pharmacies, including Boots all recommend it for Ghana and Mali as an anti malarial?? Having done my research and read all the above posts, I think I'll try the doxy out for my week in Ghana. I am then flying straight to Spain for a few days, so if Doxy suits, I can pick up a supply there for my trip to N, Africa. I f I don't get on with it in Ghana, I'll have to bite the financial bullet and shell out for Malarone I guess!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 25 Aug 2008
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
there are different strains of malaria, and different areas suit a particular drug. I'm not a doctor, so won't give advice. This was explained to me by a doctor in the Nomad shop in London. But that may be why you get conflicting reports of success with doxy, or any other anti-malaria drug.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 25 Aug 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Poole, Dorset
Posts: 51
Quote:
Originally Posted by thestens View Post
Thanks for all the help. However, I'm a bit baffled by the previous poster's comments on doxy being useless for malaria
See this reference: Elsevier

I have lived and worked in malarial areas for most of my life. My father was a medical doctor in Central Africa; and on the mines he covered he had 24 000 patients. Over a period of 25 years he worked with numerous agencies, as malaria was the mining industries biggest killer. He conducted numerous drug trials to determine what worked, and what didn't. Doxycycline didn't..

I personally have had malaria while not following my fathers advice and taking Tropical Diseases hospital recommended products.

As mentioned by others, different areas have different strains. Some more lethal than others. Having seen my farming neighbour in Zambia die of cerebral malaria within 24 hours of the first headache, I would not trust my life to doxy in a malarial area. I would carry it as a potential treatment though. I may be bluffing myself, but I think I'm worth more than the cost saving between doxy and malarone/larium/paludrine/chloroquine or any of the other more established effective antimalarials...

Here are few references which may be useful reading:
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease - Abstract: Volume 186(3) March 1998 p 183-186 Delayed Neuropsychiatric Effects of Malaria in Ghana. - If doxycycline was an effective preventative, this article would not have finished - We therefore recommend a search for effective malaria prevention and intervention strategies to avert the more serious clinical manifestations of mental disorder likely to evolve in this imminently lethal infectious disease.

Wiley InterScience :: Session Cookies

Finally, the French Army have 25 000 soldiers deployed in malarial areas - and they are currently using doxy as part of their prophylaxis protocol, so it is not all bad for Doxy... :-)
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 27 Aug 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: chch,nz
Posts: 89
Smile doxy

Take malarone as a treatment for malaria it works,don't take malaria lightly, i know,in angola you can get arianate as a treatment as well, made in belgium,should work.ron.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 5 Oct 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: kernow,UK
Posts: 11
anti malarials

i work in the african oilfields...as people have said before, different strains are found in different places.

the main things i think you should consider are:

how long do you intend to be in malarial areas?
-this will have a massive effect on your choices. some of the cheaper medications require a few pills a day while in malarial areas and a substantial lead/post visit period of taking them too. this will end up with you eating pills for the entirity of your trip, which could also lead to kidney / internal problems. [if i were to take this course of medication, i would never be off them, including my 5 week rotation periods.]

balance the cost of medication, but consider how many of each pill is required daily... eg, malarone requires only 2 days prior, during and post trip, with one a day. others are significantly more....6-9 months in africa... do you want to be a 2 wheeled pharmacy!?

side effects, some of the medications available affect people in different ways, but be prepared for upset stomachs and other side effects eg, a common side effect of malarone is extremely vivid/bizarre dreams!!

many people have taken malaria quite lightly, and had to deal with it when they get it. true, in some areas, its just a case of a few days in bed sweating and then get yourself back on your feet again [as i found out in se asia].

however, WEST AFRICA IS NO JOKE, DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE LETHALITY OF CEREBRAL MALARIA.

for this reason alone, the oilfieds across africa enforce the use of malarone. yes it is expensive, but it only requires one pill a day and pre/post trip requirement is short.

this is just my 2 cents worth, im not a doctor, so do your own research. but dont take the risk, if in doubt get the best stuff.

The Different Drug Regimens
Regimen 1
Mefloquine one 250mg tabletweekly. OR
Doxycycline
one 100mg capsule
daily. OR
Malarone
one tablet daily.


Regimen 2

Chloroquine
300mg
weekly (2x150mg tablets). PLUS
Proguanil 200mg daily (2x100mg tablets).

Regimen 3

Chloroquine
300mg
weekly (2x150mg tablets) OR
Proguanil 200mg daily (2x100mg tablets).

Regimen 4
No prophylactic tablets required but anti mosquito measures should be strictly observed: Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents on exposed skin and, when necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net.

Proguanil 100mg tablets are supplied as Paludrine Tablets
Chloroquine
150mg tablets are supplied as Nivaquine or Avloclor Tablets
Mefloquine
250mg tablets are supplied as Lariam Tablets
Malarone
is a combination of Atovaquone 250mg and Proguanil 100mg

Length of Prophylaxis
Chloroquine, Proguanil & Maloprim Start one week before travel, throughout your stay in an endemic area and continue for four weeks after return.
Mefloquine (Lariam)
Start two and a half weeks before travel, throughout your stay in an endemic area and continue for four weeks after return.
Doxycycline
Start two days before travel, throughout your stay in an endemic area and continue for four weeks after return.
Malarone
Start two days before travel, throughout your stay in an endemic area and continue for one week after return.

Long Term Use of Anti-Malaria Drugs
Chloroquine May be taken for periods exceeding five years.
Paludrine May be taken for periods exceeding five years.
Maloprim
Can be taken for periods up to one year.
Mefloquine
Can be taken for periods up to one year.
Doxycycline
Can be taken for periods up to six months.
Malarone Can be used for travel periods up to one year.

website: Table of Vaccines & Malaria Prophylaxis

full list of vaccination requirements for africa: Africa - Vaccinations & Malaria Tablets



having said this-enjoy your trip!!

Last edited by biggles0449; 5 Oct 2008 at 04:16. Reason: to make it a bit tidier!
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 12 Oct 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: croatia
Posts: 11
selfdiagnostic kit

Hi!.Where I can buy selfdiagnostic kit for malarija and is it 100% efficien.
Thanks!
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 3 Nov 2008
kentfallen's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Bexhill, East Sussex, England, UK
Posts: 673
Be very careful!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Graham Smith View Post
Doxycycline - cheap, great treatment for tick bite fever but a compete waste of time and money as an antimalarial.
Please don't make silly and uninformed comments like this, you may put people at risk by doing so. Just refer to the many websites where Doxycycline is mentioned...The ONLY person qualified to say such a thing is a qualified Medical Practitioner or Scientist.:confused1:

Of course you can tell us about your experiences with the drug...
__________________
Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 4 Nov 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 36
Doxycycline is a waste of money

Doxycycline is a waste of money and the trouble is you can't always trust a doctor because different doctors give you different advice.

For example, Doctor 1 told me to take Doxycycline, very effective.
I later contracted malaria in Africa. The malaria did not surface until I was back in the UK.

I ended up in the tropical disease ward in Newcastle, the doctors there told me take Doxycycline should never of been recommend and was not effective as a anti malarial.

So i feel really experiance with the drug is more useful than what your doctor says.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
CCM 644 - a cheaper, lighter and more reliable KTM? Chris of Motocross Africa Which Bike? 12 7 Jul 2008 20:56
Is there any US state that is cheaper to buy motorcycles? FREE SPIRIT North America 45 9 Jun 2008 05:56
sometimes GENUINE is Cheaper!! Martynbiker Yamaha Tech 2 8 Nov 2007 21:08
cheaper to ship or buy in Oz? ArcticHarleyMan Trip Paperwork 5 28 Nov 2006 04:38
BMW cheaper in UK Vs. States? brennan Europe 1 24 Aug 2005 22:06

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 22:06.