BootsnAll Travel Community

I heard that u can get doxycycline pretty easily and over the counter in SE Asia, is this true can anyone tell me? Also, I've heard its a lot cheaper. That's why I was gonna wait till I got there. Has anyone done this? Any advice on this subject would be great

This is true. I spent a fortune buying three months worth of Larium in the US only to find it the first day I arrived in Bangkok for $1 per pill. I traveled Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. I found pharmacies everywhere except for the smallest of cities. You can buy anything over the counter in these countries. Be aware that some people don't carry Larium anymore and don't have too much fun with all the pain medication.

I wouldn't worry too much about malaria. Just bring a high % DEET and USE IT. The risks of the medication are way too high for me...

If you are going to NW Thailand on the Burma border, you need to use doxcycline. The other drugs are not effective against malaria. I am glad I did use dox cuz I must have got lyme disease over there. I had a huge bulls-eye on my back for about 5 months after Thailand. It turns out that doxycycline is the cure for that. Yes, you can buy drugs in Bangkok probably cheaper than here.

Karin Have
life is painful, but suffering is optional
Anchorage, Alaska

What about Malarone? Can you get that over in SE Asia? I was looking at that vs. doxycycline (which I'm leaning away from since I really don't want to be dealing with yeast infections the whole time I'm traveling) but the cost of Malarone in the U.S. is so high. Any suggestions?

When you get there, just go to a drug store.
The Pharmacist will speak English, and will be happy to give advice. Within reason, you can get anything you want for a pittance. I always make a trip to a pharmacy to stock up on the stuff that costs a fortune here in the US.

Do you need a prescription for Malarone or any other Malaria drugs in Bangkok?

Considering what else I buy over the counter there I seriously doubt it.

Within reason, they will sell you anything, and the Pharmacist will be happy to discuss it with you. In other countries, the Pharmacist is allowed to advise and dispense, unlike the US where your "primary care physician" (who may only know about malaria from what he or she has read) is in control.

However, I do not take antimalarials when traveling in Thailand. My last trip to Thailand was to NW Thailand along the Burma border.

Your mileage may vary.

Thanks Joe

Actually I will be using the anti-Malarials in rural Cambodia. I figured I could get them in Bangkok, but just wanted to makes sure.

Are there any particular pharmacies you recommend in Bangkok?

I can't help there; I know none by name. Just walk into any one and ask for what you want.
Also, usually the generic is cheaper than the brand name stuff, just like here.

FYI: If people are interested Malarone (which is one of the newer anti-malarials out there) you might be interested to know that it's a restricted drug here in Bangkok (yes here in Bangkok). I went to 3 different pharmacies and they all told me the same thing. You have to go to the hospital and get the doctor to prescribe it for you, and only the hospital sells it.

It might be because it's a name brand. Malarone doesn't have a generic yet and it's very expensive in comparison to what the average person asks for over the counter and only hospitals can stock it. Just a guess.

PC

Check out my new RTW blog:
http://blogs.bootsnall.com/claudia

Thanks Joe for the pharm advice! Has anyone heard of: Artemisinin/Quinghaosu? Its an
alternative to the usual anti-malarials....but not avail. in the US of A. Anyone? Anyone????

How much of SE Asia are we talking about here? Would I be able to pick up Doxy in Hong Kong? (I'm going there before Bangkok and Malaysia)

Becs

Becci Reidy
Nottingham, UK

A month ago, a friend of mine needed Malarone in Bangkok as she realized she was short several pills to complete her SE Asia trip, but couldn't get it at all in Bangkok. Every pharmacist we talked to said that it hadn't been approved for use in Thailand yet (though the above post about hospital use might explain that). The only antimalarial they had to offer was Doxycycline...it's cheap and easily available, but it's better to know that before starting on Malarone so you don't have to change midway through, which can involve taking a longer course after returning.

Artemisinin/Quinghaosu cannot be used for prophylaxis, the active compound is unstable. It is however effective for treatment. I wonder whether I could get a prescription to take some with me for treatment purposes only or whether it is available over the counter in Thailand or Malaysia (not sure where I'll end up first).

What is the Malaria situation in Borneo, Sarawak and around Bali?

Denni

Any one know the updates on the accessibility of Malarone in Bangkok/thailand?

I am still wavering on taking my larium pills in hope to pick some up in Thailand.

shawn