Doxycycline is used for malaria prevention and treatment. The main advantage of using doxycycline for malaria prophylaxis is to prevent the potentially fatal disease from happening in the first place. Also, when doxycycline is used in combination with quinine to treat malaria, there is a high cure rate. The main disadvantage of using the drug is the occurrence of possible side effects, most commonly gastrointestinal ones.
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease endemic to mostly tropical and sub-tropical areas. It is a potentially fatal disease, so anybody traveling to such an area should take chemo-prophylaxis. The disease usually presents with fever, sweating and chills, but may also present with more vague symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and headache. Medical attention should be sought for any symptoms.
The choice of prophylaxis is made according to the area being visited and the person's medical history. Doxycycline for malaria prophylaxis is one of the options. It is taken as a daily dose 48 hours before entering the area, for the whole time in the area, and for four weeks after leaving.
Doxycycline has been used to prevent and treat malaria for a long time, so the side effects and interactions are well established. This allows the prescribing practitioner to make an informed decision according to the specific traveler's medical history and any concomitant medicines. Other medicines used for malaria prophylaxis are contraindicated in some people, making doxycycline a good option.
The main disadvantages of using doxycycline for malaria are its potential side effects of producing gastrointestinal problems and photo-sensitivity. Doxycycline may also interact with other medications, including oral contraceptive pills. Other drugs used for malaria prophylaxis have different dosage regimens and duration of treatment, which may make them preferable over doxycycline.
Doxycycline for malaria treatment is always used in combination, usually with quinine, and has good cure rates. It is used to treat Plasmodium falciparum malaria and is started when the patient can be administered oral medication. Malaria should be treated as a medical emergency, and medical attention should be sought immediately if any signs of malaria are experienced during or after a trip to a malaria-endemic area.
This drug is a slow-acting antimalarial, but in combination with quinine, contributes to parasite clearance. It is not recommended in pregnant women or children under eight years old. In these cases, the second drug used may be clindamycin. Medical supervision is required when using doxycycline for both malaria prevention or treatment.
