Malaria tablets.
There’s no vaccine against malaria, so antimalarial tablets are the main way to protect yourself when travelling to a risk area. Several tablet options exist, and the right one for you depends on where you’re going, how long for, and your own health. Our prescribing pharmacist can assess you and issue a prescription in the same appointment as your other travel vaccines, no GP referral needed.
Why the right tablet depends on your trip.
Malaria is a serious, sometimes life-threatening illness spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes, found across large parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Central and South America, and other tropical and subtropical regions. Unlike most other travel-related infections, there is no vaccine against malaria. Prevention relies on a combination of antimalarial tablets and avoiding mosquito bites, both matter, and neither replaces the other.
Several different antimalarial tablets are available, taken on different schedules, some daily, some weekly, starting at different points before you travel and continuing for different lengths of time after you return. Which one suits you best depends on your destination and the specific malaria strains found there, the length of your trip, your medical history and any other medication you take, and your own preference for a daily or weekly tablet. Your pharmacist will talk through the options at your consultation and prescribe accordingly.
Do you need malaria tablets?
Including much of Sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and parts of Central and South America. Your pharmacist will confirm the risk level for your specific destination.
Different tablet options suit different trip lengths, from a week-long holiday to months of travel or relocation.
If a daily tablet suits your routine better than a weekly one, or vice versa, this can be factored into your prescription.
Some options aren’t suitable in pregnancy, for young children, or for people with certain psychiatric or seizure histories, your pharmacist will identify the right fit.
Travellers returning to their country of birth to visit relatives are often at higher risk than typical tourists, and may underestimate their need for protection.
Full pricing available on this page ↓. Prices subject to change, please confirm at the clinic.
How your malaria tablet consultation works.
Destination and health assessment
Your pharmacist reviews exactly where you’re going, how long for, your health history and any current medication, to confirm the level of malaria risk and which tablet options are suitable.
Tablet option selected and prescribed
You’ll be prescribed the option best suited to your trip and health, with clear instructions on when to start.
Start before you travel
Depending on the tablet, this may be anywhere from 1 to 2 days, up to 2 to 3 weeks, before departure. Your pharmacist will confirm your exact start date.
Continue after you return
Most options need to be continued for a period after leaving the risk area, ranging from 1 to 4 weeks depending on which tablet you’ve taken. It’s important to complete the full course even after you’re home.
Book your travel health consultation.
Malaria tablets are usually assessed and prescribed as part of your wider travel health consultation, alongside any vaccines you need.
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Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Sat & Sun 9am–5pm (private services only)
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113 Chester Road, Sunderland SR4 7HG · GPhC Registered
Book — Travel Health Consultation
Veritas Pharmacy · 113 Chester Road, Sunderland SR4 7HG
Malaria tablet prices.
Price depends on which tablet is prescribed and how long your course needs to run. Prices are subject to change, please confirm at the clinic before booking.
| Item | Course | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Antimalarial tablets – option confirmed at consultation, prescription only | Per course | From £28.00 |
Malaria tablet FAQs.
Is there a vaccine for malaria instead?
Which tablet will I be prescribed?
When do I need to start taking them?
Do I need to keep taking them after I get home?
Are malaria tablets 100% effective?
I’m visiting family in a malaria risk country, do I still need tablets?
Related services.
Typhoid Vaccine
Another common recommendation for many of the same malaria-risk destinations.
Learn more →Yellow Fever Vaccine
Often needed alongside malaria prevention for travel to Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South America.
Learn more →All Travel Vaccinations
See every destination and vaccine we cover as part of our full pre-travel health service.
Learn more →