A brief history
Malaria once affected areas well beyond today's tropical risk regions. Scientists identified malaria parasites in human blood in 1880; research in the late 1890s established the mosquito's role in transmission. These discoveries helped shift prevention towards mosquito control and medicines that act on the parasite.
How does it spread?
Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites, usually passed to people through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. It is not spread through ordinary contact with another person. Blood transfusions and contaminated needles can also transmit the infection.
Risk varies within countries and with the season and itinerary. Malaria-carrying mosquitoes mainly bite between dusk and dawn, so evening bite protection matters even when taking tablets.
Symptoms and possible complications
Early symptoms include fever, chills and headache and can resemble other infections. Severe malaria can cause confusion, seizures, breathing difficulty, severe anaemia and organ damage. Untreated falciparum malaria can deteriorate rapidly and become life-threatening.
Fever during travel or within a year of returning from a malaria-risk area needs urgent medical assessment. Tell the clinician where you travelled and which tablets you took. Do not dismiss malaria because you completed the course.
How an antimalarial medicine helps
This combination acts on developing parasites in the liver as well as blood stages. Its liver-stage activity explains the shorter seven-day course after leaving the risk area. It does not clear the dormant liver forms responsible for some relapsing malaria infections.
Where it may be relevant
- Travellers visiting a malaria-risk area where an antimalarial medicine is recommended
- Shorter trips where the seven-day post-travel course may be preferable
- Adults and children meeting the product's age and weight requirements
Malaria risk map
Red highlights destinations with detailed malaria maps in our country guidance. Risk varies within countries and by itinerary; highlighting does not mean tablets are needed everywhere. Select a country for local advice and risk maps.
Dose schedules
The clinician will select the appropriate licensed schedule after reviewing age, health, previous doses and departure date.
Daily prevention
Adults and weight-eligible children
Take at the same time each day with food or a milky drink.
Children's daily dose by weight
Who may be eligible
- People whose itinerary, medical history and medicines support this option
- Children prescribed the correct tablet strength and dose for their weight
Who may not be eligible
- People with severe renal impairment for malaria prevention
- Anyone allergic to an antimalarial medicine, an antimalarial medicine or an ingredient
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding a low-weight infant, vomiting, diarrhoea and interacting medicines require individual review
Potential side effects
- Nausea, stomach pain, diarrhoea or headache
- Mouth ulcers, cough or dizziness can occur
- Taking each dose with food or a milky drink improves absorption
Important risks and precautions
- No antimalarial guarantees complete protection; bite avoidance remains essential
- Vomiting soon after a dose may require another dose and clinical advice
- Fever during travel or within a year of return requires urgent medical assessment and a clear travel history
Clinical references