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Subject: Which Anti-Malarial Medications Do Our Snake Eaters Prefer?
VelocityVector    12/9/2010 1:25:43 PM
Header is self-explanatory. I've tried all the mainstream ones and they tear me up inside after a few weeks with Malarone being the worst. So I will be grateful to learn what the pros use when they are stuck in the field for months on end. Thanks in advance for knowledgeable replies. v^2
 
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YelliChink       12/9/2010 1:40:39 PM
Do you want preventative drugs or treatment?
 
And, why do you need malaria drugs in Chicago during winter?
 
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VelocityVector       12/9/2010 2:27:25 PM

I intended preventative drugs, which is why I had mentioned Malarone (it destroys me but my clinic keeps recommending I continue to use it because the little critters have grown resistant to most others).  I travel frequently and visit developing countries.  I have to believe that service members who do what they do in malaria-infested areas will know what's best over 30 days or more.  That is all.

v^2

 
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gf0012-aust    malaria - research areas   12/9/2010 3:12:56 PM
 
  • Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, USA
  • Department of Immunology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Thailand
  • Jacobus Pharmaceutical Company, USA
  • Department of Infectious Disease, Military Hospital 108, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • Department of Infectious Disease, Military Hospital 175, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  • Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology, Qui Nhon, Binh Dinh, Vietnam
  • Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand.
  • Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology, Qui Nhon, Binh Dinh, Vietnam.
  • Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam.
  • School of Pharmacy, the University of Queensland
  • Eskitis Institute for Cell and Molecular Therapies, Griffith University Brisbane Queensland
  • Molecular Immunology, Queensland Institute of Medical Research
  • Human Protection & Performance Division, Defence Science & Technology Organisation
  • International Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin,
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • Portland State University
  • World Health Organization
  • University of Nairobi, Kenya
  • United States Army Medical Research Unit - Kenya
 
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YelliChink       12/9/2010 3:13:41 PM

I intended preventative drugs, which is why I had mentioned Malarone (it destroys me but my clinic keeps recommending I continue to use it because the little critters have grown resistant to most others).  I travel frequently and visit developing countries.  I have to believe that service members who do what they do in malaria-infested areas will know what's best over 30 days or more.  That is all.


v^2


Drug Reasons that might make you consider using this drug Reasons that might make you avoid using this drug
Atovaquone/Proguanil (Malarone)
  • Good for last-minute travelers because the drug is started 1-2 days before traveling to an area where malaria transmission occurs
  • Some people prefer to take a daily medicine
  • Good choice for shorter trips because you only have to take the medicine for 7 days after traveling rather than 4 weeks
  • Very well tolerated medicine ? side effects uncommon
  • Pediatric tablets are available and may be more convenient
  • Cannot be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding a child less than 5 kg
  • Cannot be taken by people with severe renal impairment
  • Tends to be more expensive than some of the other options (especially for trips of long duration)
  • Some people (including children) would rather not take a medicine every day
Chloroquine
  • Some people would rather take medicine weekly
  • Good choice for long trips because it is taken only weekly
  • Some people are already taking hydroxychloroquine chronically for rheumatologic conditions. In those instances, they may not have to take an additional medicine
  • Can be used in all trimesters of pregnancy
  • Cannot be used in areas with chloroquine or mefloquine resistance
  • May exacerbate psoriasis
  • Some people would rather not take a weekly medication
  • For trips of short duration, some people would rather not take medication for 4 weeks after travel
  • Not a good choice for last-minute travelers because drug needs to be started 1-2 weeks prior to travel
Doxycycline
  • Some people prefer to take a daily medicine
  • Good for last-minute travelers because the drug is started 1-2 days before traveling to an area where malaria transmission occurs
  • Tends to be the least expensive antimalarial
  • Some people are already taking doxycycline chronically for prevention of acne. In those instances, they do not have to take an additional medicine
  • Doxycycline also can prevent some additional infections (e.g., Rickettsiae and leptospirosis) and so it may be preferred by people planning to do lots of hiking, camping, and wading and swimming in fresh water
  • Cannot be used by pregnant women and children <8 years old
  • Some people would rather not take a medicine every day
  • For trips of short duration, some people would rather not take medication for 4 weeks after travel
  • Women prone to getting vag
 
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VelocityVector       12/9/2010 3:57:20 PM

Good to know two operators ;>)  (yeah I'm a sh!t for jest and, possibly, for real)  And the only two others of three total posting on SP today, which is consistent of late. 

Simply hoping that perhaps some cocktail might be disclosed that may be more-readily tolerated by us mortal creatures.  Thanks.

v^2

 
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USN-MID       12/9/2010 4:30:30 PM
Not a snake-eater, but was issued Mefloquine..and I went all up and down the E African coast, interacted with locals, ate their food, etc. Can't say for sure, but I also highly doubt snake eaters get special malarial meds anyway.
 
Only side effect some other guys had were waking up to some seriously F-d up dreams. 
 
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