Side Effects of Malaria Tablets

As with any medication, there is always the risk of side effects when taking malaria tablets. The side effects depend on the type of medication you are taking. Sometimes, they can be quite problematic and some people are more affected by the side effects than others.

If you take Malarone, there is a chance that you will experience headaches, nausea and stomach upsets. You may also experience skin conditions such as rashes and mouth ulcers. Malarone may also make you feel dizzy so if you get this side effect, you should not drive. You may also experience strange dreams, sleeping problems or depression. If you use the malaria tablet Doxycycline, you may also experience stomach problems. There is a chance that you may experience light sensitivity or heartburn. You may also contract thrush.


Taking Mefloquine may also mean that you experience some unwanted side effects. You may experience dizziness and headaches. There is also a chance that your sleep pattern will be disturbed and you may have vivid dreams. Sometimes, the tablets can provoke psychiatric reactions.  If you are taking Aralen, you may have nausea and/or vomiting, stomach ache, blurred vision and headaches. If you are taking Qualaquin, you may experience a fever, headache, stomach upset, diarrhoea, nausea, muscle weakness or dizziness.

If any of these side effects last for a long period of time or are causing you problems, you need to contact your doctor. Sometimes the doctor will make a judgement that although the medication is having an adverse effect, the benefits outweigh the costs of the medication and you should continue to use them. You must contact your doctor immediately if you think you are having unusual side effects or if you have an allergic reaction to the medication. Signs of an allergic reaction include swelling of the face, mouth, lips and throat.


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