Product features
Over 90% effective against malaria when taken as prescribed
Start taking the treatment before you travel to a malaria-risk area
Side effects are uncommon and usually mild
What is doxycycline?
Doxycycline is an anti-malaria medication that gives you over 90% protection when it’s taken daily before, during and after your trip as prescribed.
How does it work?
Malaria is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, which injects the malaria parasite into your bloodstream when it feeds. This is what causes infection.
The active ingredient, doxycycline hyclate, inhibits the growth of the parasite, ultimately destroying it when it’s inside your body.
How to use doxycycline
You should take doxycycline antibiotics at the same time each day. 1 capsule with a large glass of water. Depending on where you are, or staying, consider using bottled water if you think the tap water could be unsafe.
How long should I take doxycycline for?
You’ll need to begin treatment ahead of your trip to a malaria-risk area. So take 1 doxycycline 100mg tablet a day, 1-2 days before you enter the endemic area. Then keep taking 1 tablet every day while you’re in that area, and for 4 weeks after you leave it.
Treatment results
Protection starts from 1-2 days after you’ve started your course of doxycycline treatment. This is why it’s so important to start your treatment before you arrive at your destination.
To maximise your protection, make sure you follow the instructions on your doxycycline prescription and the medication packaging.
Even when you’re taking anti-malaria tablets, it’s best to try to avoid getting bitten in the first place. So you should follow all the usual advice on how best to protect yourself, like using insect repellent containing 50% DEET.
Side effects of doxycycline
While side effects of doxycycline are uncommon, some people may experience nausea, diarrhoea, headaches, sore throat, and vaginal yeast infections. The medicine can also lead to increased skin sensitivity to sunlight, making it even more important to follow the usual practical advice on how to stay safe in the sun.
For full details of side effects and correct use of doxycycline, please see the patient information leaflet. And if you’re worried about side effects, you can contact us in your Patient Record.
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A clinician will review your answers and, if suitable, prescribe treatment
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Doxycycline malaria tablets FAQs
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Who can’t take doxycycline?
You shouldn’t take this medication if:
- You’re allergic to doxycycline, any other tetracycline antibiotic or any other ingredients in this medication.
- You’re pregnant or trying for a baby.
- You’re breastfeeding (as some of the ingredients in the medication may pass into your breast milk and this could be harmful to your baby).
Your clinician can advise on all of the above during your consultation. They’ll make sure the treatment is safe for you to take or explore alternatives.
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Doxycycline warnings
Before taking doxycycline 100mg, tell your clinician if you:
- Are likely to spend time in strong sunlight or use UV sunbeds, as this medicine can make your skin more sensitive to sunburn.
- Have any kidney or liver issues.
- Have myasthenia gravis, a condition causing unusual muscle weakness, especially in the eyelid.
- Have porphyria, a rare blood condition.
- Have or have previously had systemic lupus erythematosus (a condition causing joint pain, skin rashes and fever), as doxycycline may make it worse.
- Are being treated for suspected syphilis, as your doctor will need to monitor you after treatment.
- Have a history of diarrhoea when taking antibiotics or have stomach/intestinal problems. If you develop severe, prolonged, or bloody diarrhoea during or after treatment, contact your doctor immediately. This could indicate bowel inflammation (pseudomembranous colitis).
- Take oral retinoids, as combining these with doxycycline can increase the risk of severe headaches and vision changes due to skull pressure.
Important: Long-term use of doxycycline may lead to infections this antibiotic can’t treat. Your clinician can explain what signs and symptoms to look out for.
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Where can I buy doxycycline?
Firstly, check which tablets are recommended for the country or countries you’re travelling to, as not all anti-malaria drugs are suitable for every region. There’s a checker at Travel Health Pro. Then you have two options:
- One of our clinicians can prescribe doxycycline tablets after an online consultation where we make sure they’re right for you and your trip. It only takes a few minutes.
- You can get a prescription for doxycycline from your doctor. However, it can’t be prescribed on the NHS as an anti-malaria treatment, so you’ll need to pay the full price for the medication yourself.
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Can I take doxycycline with other medications?
As with all medications, doxycycline 100mg can interact with other medicines. So our clinicians can prescribe it safely, you’ll need to let us know which prescription and over-the-counter medicines you’re taking regularly.
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Are there alternative doxycycline treatments?
Depending on where you’re planning to travel, doxycycline may not be the right treatment. However, we may be able to prescribe Atovaquone with Proguanil or its branded version Malarone as effective alternatives.
Even when you’re taking anti-malaria tablets, it’s best to try to avoid getting bitten in the first place. So you should follow all the usual advice on how best to protect yourself, such as:
- Using an insect repellent containing 50% DEET
- Sleeping under a mosquito net that's been treated with insecticide
- Wearing trousers and long sleeves in the evenings
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References
More antimalarials
Delivery and collection information
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Standard delivery (Free)
Packages will be delivered within 2-3 working days of your order being approved.
You’ll be contacted by your courier when they know when they’ll be delivering your package. You can update your delivery preferences in the Royal Mail app to enable delivery to a neighbour or leave in a safe place if you won't be in.
If you’re not present when Royal Mail deliver your treatment, they will:
- Post your parcel through your letter box
- Deliver to neighbour
- Deliver to your chosen safe place
If none of these options are feasible, Royal Mail will attempt to deliver the next working day.
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Next day delivery (£4.95)
Mainland UK
- Orders approved before 5pm Monday-Friday will arrive the next day (Tuesday - Saturday).
- Orders approved up to 11am Saturday will arrive on Sunday.
- Orders approved after 11am Saturday and all-day Sunday will arrive Tuesday.
Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Scottish Highlands, Channel Islands and other offshore UK destinations:
- Please allow an additional 24 to 48 hours for offshore UK destinations
You’ll be contacted by your courier when they know when they’ll be delivering your package. You can update your delivery preferences in the Royal Mail app to enable delivery to a neighbour or leave in a safe place if you won't be in.
If you’re not present when Royal Mail deliver your treatment, they will:
- Post your parcel through your letter box
- Deliver to neighbour
- Deliver to your chosen safe place
If none of these options are feasible, Royal Mail will attempt to deliver to you the next working day.
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Click and Collect (Free)
If your order is approved by 5pm Monday-Friday, you should be able to pick it up the same day from selected pharmacies - provided they have your treatment in stock.
We suggest you ring your chosen pharmacy before you go to collect your treatment, just to make sure they have it in stock and ready.
