View Full Version : Anti Malarial drugs for diving
stevebdiver
07-01-2007, 15:43
Anyone up to date with the current reccomendations for anti malarials and diving? Going dive trip to Kenya and could do with some advice..........Cheers!
Steve Grrr
07-01-2007, 18:32
It's not as clear cut as that. There are different strains of malaria in different parts of the world so the first recommendation will be for the appropriate treatment for Kenya. After that, I'm not sure if some are better for diving than others but my advice would be to see if you can try the recommended treatment in advance of your trip to be sure you get on with it.
Steve
Larium and diving don't mix. Avoid.
I've previously gone with doxycillin. I've had no side effects, but it is linked to photosensitivity (hard to stay out of the sun in the tropics....)
Lather up with insect repellent as well.
rdaviesgbr
25-02-2007, 01:06
It is also advised to stay clear of Mefloquine since potential side effects is that it can imitate or worsen the effects of DCI.
I too am due to go to North of Mombasa in the April timeframe (2007), so if we have someone who can confirm that (medically) whether doxycycline or Atovaquone/Proguanil provide adequate protection from Malaria, and at the same time do not have any adverse, or dangerous side effects when diving, I would be most appreciative ?
It is also advised to stay clear of Mefloquine since potential side effects is that it can imitate or worsen the effects of DCI.
Mefloquine is another name for Larium (Larium being the brand name). Doxycycline can leave with sensitivity to sunlight whilst undergoing the treatment therefore is not always brilliant for holidaying in a sunny place.
In East Africa the mozzies are pretty much chloroquine resistant and Larium would be my weapon of choice, however if you are worried about the possible side effects then Malarone could be a good alternative. I have taken Larium/Mefloquine for protracted periods (12 months) and other than the hideous taste when first swallowing suffered no problems and that included whilst diving.
HTH
John Bantin
25-02-2007, 16:43
Mefloquine is another name for Larium (Larium being the brand name). Doxycycline can leave with sensitivity to sunlight whilst undergoing the treatment therefore is not always brilliant for holidaying in a sunny place.
In East Africa the mozzies are pretty much chloroquine resistant and Larium would be my weapon of choice, however if you are worried about the possible side effects then Malarone could be a good alternative. I have taken Larium/Mefloquine for protracted periods (12 months) and other than the hideous taste when first swallowing suffered no problems and that included whilst diving.
HTH
Good answer!
wanderingpomm
25-02-2007, 17:54
Malerone i have found is great, i don't know anyone who has had a reaction to it. it is more expensive than other drugs but as it no ill effects at all with me i'd recommend it!!
Something I forgot to add. If you decide that Mefloquine/Larium is the one for you then start taking it early. The lead-in time for the drug is 7 days but if you start taking it early then you can see your sensitivities to the sode effects early and switch if need be.
ATB
Steve Grrr
25-02-2007, 18:49
Malerone i have found is great, i don't know anyone who has had a reaction to it. it is more expensive than other drugs but as it no ill effects at all with me i'd recommend it!!
I'm not allowed to recommend it as I work for GSK. :)
If you live in the USA this site (http://www.malarone.com/) may be useful. I'm trusting those who don't live in the USA not to use the site. ;)
Steve
rdaviesgbr
26-02-2007, 11:45
Thanks for the excellent replies guys. It's often difficult to make a judgement call based solely on what is documented, so having advice from someone with years of expereince beats anything else.
dougle03
26-02-2007, 17:30
I dived whilst taking doxycycline last year in Egypt and appart from the normal sensisivity to UV Light I also suffered mild vertigo. When I returned home and read up on the doxycycline drug side effects I did notice that vertigo has been observed in some patients.
I did notice an uneasy feeling during some of the dives especially if they had large vertical sides to them.
It's important to point out that Vertigo is not a condition I normally suffer from.
Just my two pennies worth!!
Pete
Darren27
27-02-2007, 18:21
I worked regularly in Uganda over the past few years. The only recomended anti malarials that I know of for East Africa are, Larium, Malarone and Doxycycline. I am not medically trained in any way and this is the knowledge I have picked up along the way as it were.
Larium is a total no no for diving, it is very effective but has bad side effects in some people, you can either take it or you cant. Its safe (ish) to use for long periods. If you have not used it before you start to take it 14 -21 days before you travel and continue for 28 days after you return. You should not dive at any time during this period and I would also think you should stay out of the water for a week or so after you stop to clear your system. You take 1 or 2 tablets at the same time each week
Malarone is fine for diving and has not too many side effects, commonly it can cause insomnia and makes you constipated. You take a tablet each day, starting 7 days before you travel and for 7 days after you come home. The main problem is the expense, it costs about £3 per tablet and you cant get them on the NHS. You should avoid long term use as it can cause liver damage.
Doxy is probably the easiest and cheapest to use. Safe for diving but it can cause photosensitivity of the skin. Be sensible in the sun and this should not be a real problem. Doxy has several other benefits, unlike the others its an antibiotic,its the antibiotic of choice for treating Cholera and other intestinal infections, so it will help with mild tummy upsets (its also a treatment for sphyilis !) You can start taking it just a couple of days before you travel but need to continue for 30 days after you come home. Its reasonably cheap to buy and easy to get at most pharmacies.
HTH
Darren
Hi,
I was in North Mombassa in Feb stayed here
http://www.sunnsand.info/
and dived with http://www.buccaneerdiving.com/
Most people on the boat were feeling quite sea sick each day, all taking various malaria tablets. People being sick was quite common, even while I was eating! I found my supply of sea sick tablets help (of course).
Sorry this dosen't help much.
Cheers
Mark.
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