Malaria – Atovaquone/proguanil
💊 Atovaquone/Proguanil Malaria Tablets in Prescot
Private Malaria Prevention Service at Prescriptions Pharmacy
🌍 Prescriptions Pharmacy provides private Atovaquone/Proguanil malaria prevention tablets in Prescot following a travel health consultation.
Atovaquone/Proguanil is one of the most commonly prescribed malaria prevention medicines for travellers visiting malaria-risk areas. It is often chosen because it is taken once daily, can be started shortly before travel and only needs to be continued for a short period after returning home.
🦟 What Is Malaria?
Malaria is a serious infection spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes. It is found in many parts of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, the Middle East and some Pacific regions.
🦟 Spread by infected female Anopheles mosquitoes
🌍 Risk varies significantly between countries and regions
🤒 Symptoms can include fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches and fatigue
⚠️ Malaria can become severe and life-threatening if not treated promptly
✈️ Prevention is often easier and safer than treatment
Malaria symptoms may develop during travel or even several weeks after returning home. Any fever after visiting a malaria-risk country should be assessed urgently.
💊 What Is Atovaquone/Proguanil?
Atovaquone/Proguanil is a combination antimalarial medicine used to reduce the risk of malaria infection while travelling.
✅ Taken once daily
✅ Suitable for many popular travel destinations
✅ Can usually be started just 1–2 days before entering a malaria-risk area
✅ Only needs to be continued for 7 days after leaving the malaria-risk area
✅ Often preferred for shorter trips and last-minute travel
The medicine contains:
💊 Atovaquone 250mg
💊 Proguanil Hydrochloride 100mg
Your pharmacist will assess your destination, itinerary, medical history, other medicines and suitability before supplying malaria prevention tablets.
📅 How Do I Take Atovaquone/Proguanil?
To achieve the best protection, tablets should be taken exactly as advised.
📍 Start 1–2 days before entering a malaria-risk area
📍 Take one tablet every day while in the malaria-risk area
📍 Continue taking one tablet daily for 7 days after leaving the malaria-risk area
📍 Try to take your tablet at approximately the same time each day
📍 Take with food or a milky drink whenever possible
Taking Atovaquone/Proguanil with food can improve absorption and help maximise protection.
✈️ Who Might Choose Atovaquone/Proguanil?
Atovaquone/Proguanil is commonly chosen by:
🎒 Backpackers and independent travellers
🏖️ Holidaymakers visiting malaria-risk destinations
✈️ Last-minute travellers who need rapid protection
👨👩👧 Families travelling to malaria-endemic countries
💼 Business travellers making shorter trips
🌍 Travellers visiting multiple countries with differing malaria risks
The most suitable malaria tablet varies between travellers. Other options such as Doxycycline or Mefloquine may be more appropriate depending on destination, duration of travel and medical history.
👶 Children and Families
Atovaquone/Proguanil may also be suitable for children when prescribed appropriately.
👶 Paediatric tablets are available
⚖️ Doses are calculated according to body weight
👨👩👧 Family travel consultations can assess all travellers together
📋 Advice will be provided on mosquito bite prevention for children
📌 Children's dosing should always be based on professional advice and current prescribing guidance.
⚠️ Possible Side Effects
Like all medicines, Atovaquone/Proguanil can cause side effects, although many travellers take it without significant problems.
🤢 Nausea or upset stomach
🤕 Headache
💤 Sleep disturbance or unusual dreams
💩 Diarrhoea
🍽️ Reduced appetite
Taking tablets with food may help reduce stomach-related side effects. Your pharmacist will discuss suitability and precautions before treatment is supplied.
🦟 Mosquito Bite Prevention Still Matters
Malaria tablets significantly reduce risk, but no malaria medicine provides 100% protection. Avoiding mosquito bites remains essential.
🦟 Use insect repellent containing DEET where appropriate
👕 Wear long sleeves and long trousers during peak mosquito activity
🛏️ Sleep under mosquito nets where recommended
🏨 Choose screened or air-conditioned accommodation where possible
🌅 Mosquitoes carrying malaria often bite between dusk and dawn
💷 Cost of Atovaquone/Proguanil
Prescriptions Pharmacy supplies Atovaquone/Proguanil malaria tablets following a travel health assessment.
📦 Example pricing using Maloff Protect®:
✈️ 2-week holiday
1 day before travel + 14 days in destination + 7 days after travel = 22 tablets required.
Nearest pack size: 24 tablets = £46.80
🌍 Longer trip example
Where more than 24 tablets are required, a 36 tablet pack may be suitable at £70.20.
📌 Exact costs depend on destination, trip duration and the number of travellers. Your pharmacist will confirm the most appropriate pack size during your consultation.
🔗 Other Malaria Prevention Options
Different malaria tablets suit different travellers. Alternative options may be recommended depending on destination, trip length and medical history.
💊 Doxycycline Malaria Prevention
A daily malaria tablet that may be suitable for longer trips and lower-cost malaria prevention.
💊 Mefloquine Malaria Prevention
A weekly malaria tablet that may be suitable for some longer journeys.
🦟 Malaria Prevention Advice
Learn more about malaria risk assessments, mosquito bite prevention and choosing the most suitable malaria tablets.
🌍 Check Malaria Travel Advice
Malaria recommendations vary between countries and sometimes between different regions of the same country.
👉 TravelHealthPro Malaria Information
👉 TravelHealthPro Country Travel Advice
📅 Book Atovaquone/Proguanil Malaria Tablets
Book a malaria consultation at Prescriptions Pharmacy in Prescot to assess your destination, malaria risk and the most suitable malaria prevention option for your trip.
Where possible, arrange your consultation before travel to allow enough time to obtain medication and receive personalised travel health advice.
Book Atovaquone/Proguanil Consultation❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start Atovaquone/Proguanil?
Usually 1–2 days before entering a malaria-risk area.
How long do I continue taking it after travel?
Continue taking one tablet daily for 7 days after leaving the malaria-risk area.
Can children take Atovaquone/Proguanil?
Yes. Paediatric tablets are available and dosing is based on body weight.
Is Atovaquone/Proguanil better than Doxycycline or Mefloquine?
There is no single best malaria tablet. The most appropriate option depends on destination, duration of travel, medical history and personal preference.
Is this an NHS service?
No. This is a private travel health service provided by Prescriptions Pharmacy.
The Pharmacy First service builds on the NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation Service which has run since October 2019. The consultation service enables patients to be referred into community pharmacy for a minor illness or an urgent repeat medicine supply.
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