Are there safer and/or more effective antimalarial drugs available?
For high-risk regions of the world with chloroquineresistant malaria, three drugs that are equally effective are currently licensed in Canada: atovaquone/ proguanil (Malarone® ), doxycycline and mefloquine (Lariam®). Each has advantages and disadvantages. Travellers should be aware that cheaper, locally available drugs, such as chloroquine, proguanil (Paludrine® ), amodiaquine (Camoquine® ), pyrimethamine (Daraprim® ), pyrimethamine plus sulfadoxine (Fansidar® ) and pyrimethamine plus dapsone (Maloprim® ), may be ineffective, counterfeit, more toxic or inappropriate for high-risk individuals. Travellers may obtain advice from many different sources, including websites, other travellers and residents or health care workers in endemic countries. However, before departure, travellers should consult a health care provider with knowledge of travel medicine for an informed recommendation regarding malaria prophylaxis for their planned itinerary.
