Malaria – Mefloquine
💊 Mefloquine Malaria Tablets in Prescot
Private Malaria Prevention Service at Prescriptions Pharmacy
🌍 Prescriptions Pharmacy provides private Mefloquine malaria prevention tablets in Prescot following a travel health consultation.
Mefloquine is a once-weekly malaria prevention medicine that may be suitable for certain travellers visiting malaria-risk destinations. Because it is taken weekly rather than daily, some travellers find it a convenient option for longer trips and extended stays abroad.
🦟 Understanding Malaria Risk
Malaria is a serious infection transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. It remains a significant health risk in many tropical and subtropical regions around the world.
🦟 Spread by infected female Anopheles mosquitoes
🌍 Found across parts of Africa, Asia, Central and South America and other tropical regions
🤒 Symptoms commonly include fever, chills, headaches and flu-like illness
⚠️ Severe malaria can become life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated promptly
✈️ Prevention is strongly recommended where malaria risk exists
Even if you take malaria tablets correctly, you should seek urgent medical advice if you develop a fever during travel or after returning from a malaria-risk destination.
💊 What Is Mefloquine?
Mefloquine is an antimalarial medicine used to help prevent malaria infection in travellers visiting areas where malaria transmission occurs.
✅ Taken once weekly
✅ Suitable for certain malaria-risk destinations
✅ Often considered for longer trips where a weekly tablet may be preferred
✅ Can provide protection before, during and after travel when taken correctly
✅ Available following a travel health assessment
Mefloquine is not suitable for everyone. A detailed consultation is required before supply to assess medical history, previous reactions, mental health history and current medicines.
📅 How Do I Take Mefloquine?
Mefloquine should be started before travel and continued for a period after leaving the malaria-risk area.
📍 Start at least 2–3 weeks before entering a malaria-risk area
📍 Take one tablet once every week
📍 Continue weekly while travelling in malaria-risk areas
📍 Continue taking weekly tablets for 4 weeks after leaving the malaria-risk area
📍 Take on the same day each week whenever possible
Starting Mefloquine several weeks before travel allows time to assess tolerance and identify any unwanted effects before departure.
✈️ Who Might Consider Mefloquine?
Mefloquine may be suitable for selected travellers after an individual assessment.
🌍 Travellers spending extended periods abroad
🎒 Backpackers undertaking longer journeys
💼 Business travellers on prolonged assignments
🏕️ Travellers who prefer a weekly medicine rather than a daily tablet
✈️ Travellers visiting destinations where Mefloquine remains a recommended option
Alternative malaria medicines such as Atovaquone/Proguanil or Doxycycline may be more appropriate for some travellers. Your pharmacist will discuss the options available.
⚠️ Important Suitability Considerations
Mefloquine requires careful assessment before use.
🩺 Previous mental health conditions may affect suitability
💊 Certain medicines may interact with Mefloquine
❤️ Some heart conditions may require alternative malaria prevention options
📋 Full medical history should be discussed during consultation
👩⚕️ Your pharmacist will assess whether Mefloquine is appropriate for your circumstances
It is important to provide accurate information about your medical history and any medicines you take so that the safest malaria prevention option can be selected.
⚠️ Possible Side Effects
Like all medicines, Mefloquine can cause side effects, although many travellers take it without significant problems.
🤕 Headache
🤢 Nausea or stomach upset
💤 Sleep disturbances or vivid dreams
😵 Dizziness
🍽️ Reduced appetite
Because Mefloquine can affect people differently, starting treatment before travel allows time to assess tolerance before departure.
🦟 Mosquito Bite Prevention Still Matters
Malaria tablets should always be combined with measures to avoid mosquito bites.
🦟 Use insect repellent containing DEET where appropriate
👕 Wear long sleeves and long trousers during evening and night-time hours
🛏️ Sleep under mosquito nets where recommended
🏨 Use screened or air-conditioned accommodation where possible
🌅 Mosquitoes carrying malaria are usually most active between dusk and dawn
💷 Cost of Mefloquine
Prescriptions Pharmacy supplies Mefloquine malaria prevention tablets following a travel health assessment.
📦 Mefloquine costs £25 per box of 8 tablets.
✈️ Example – 2 week holiday
Start 3 weeks before travel + 2 weeks abroad + 4 weeks after travel = approximately 9 tablets required.
📦 As tablets are supplied in full packs, two boxes may be required depending on trip duration and timing.
📌 The exact quantity required depends on destination, travel dates and how far in advance treatment is started. Your pharmacist will calculate the correct amount during your consultation.
🔗 Other Malaria Prevention Options
Different malaria tablets suit different travellers. Alternative options may be recommended depending on destination, trip duration and medical history.
💊 Atovaquone/Proguanil Malaria Prevention
A daily malaria tablet that can usually be started shortly before travel and only continued for 7 days after leaving the malaria-risk area.
💊 Doxycycline Malaria Prevention
A daily malaria tablet often used for longer journeys and backpacking trips.
🦟 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 Mefloquine 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 several weeks before travel, as Mefloquine is usually started 2–3 weeks before entering a malaria-risk area.
Book Mefloquine Consultation❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start Mefloquine?
Mefloquine is usually started at least 2–3 weeks before entering a malaria-risk area.
How often do I take it?
Mefloquine is taken once weekly on the same day each week where possible.
How long do I continue taking it after travel?
You should normally continue taking Mefloquine for 4 weeks after leaving the malaria-risk area.
Why do I need to start it before travel?
Starting treatment early allows time to assess tolerance and helps ensure protection is established before exposure to malaria risk.
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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