I have booked the Borneo trip in May and was a little concerned about lariam tablets being prescribed as my antimalarial tablets. The travel nurse said that she rarely prescribes lariam now.
The reason for my concern is that my late husband sent some of his workforce to Borneo. They were prescribed lariam tablets. They became very ill, from the mental health point of view, were off sick from work on their return for a few months and then were going to sue the company. It was on TV at the time.
However, the tablets do not make everyone ill- example my cousin who did the JY trip to South Africa with us in 2006 took lariam and was absolutely fine. I was quite concerned about him taking them . Perhaps I worry too much!
So If you are thinking about lariam tablets please be a little aware. OK I know other antimalarials can cause side effects, too.
Di
Hello Di,
As you know, I am on the same trip, and I was surprised to read that you had been prescribed Lariam.
I always consult the practice nurse (sister) at my GP surgery before going to Asia, and she always checks the NHS "Fit for travel" site. I have not yet seen her about our Borneo trip, but I have looked at the NHS site, and this says:
" Malaria risk in limited pockets of deep hinterland areas of Sabah . . . all year round. There is low to no risk in . . . urban/suburban areas and coastal areas. The risk is not high enough to warrant antimalarial tablets for most travellers, however, it may be considered for certain groups who may be at higher risk e.g. longer stay in rural areas, visiting friends or relatives, those with medical conditions, immunosuppression or those without a spleen.
Malaria precautions are essential.
. . .
Check with your doctor or nurse about suitable antimalarial tablets.
. . .
Atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine is usually recommended for those at risk"
(http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/asia-%28east%29/malaysia.aspx)
http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/asia-%28east%29/malaysia/malaysia-malaria-map.aspx
I usually take Malarone (ie Atovaquone/Proguanil) purchased from a Tesco pharrmacy (a generic version, so relatively inexpensive) and so far have had no side effects - although someone I know did have hallucinations and had to stop taking the tablets in the middle of his holiday. No prescription needed, but I did have to undergo an interview with Tesco's senior pharmacist and complete a questionnaire. before I could purchase the tablets.
I would never take Lariam as, like your workers, a colleague of mine started to take these for a business trip to SE Asia (not Borneo), and he was very ill as a result - at the time, we did not expect ever to see him again in work, but he eventually recovered after a long absence. This was admittedly about 20 years ago, and the formula may have been improved, but I still would not want to try them.
I did consider doxycycline but was told that this can increase one's sensitivity to bright sunlight - so not a good idea for Borneo!
Jim
