Malarone - a stimulent?

11 September 2016, 03:45

analog_peninsula

Does anyone else find that Malarone acts as a medium-strong stimulant? I just came back from a trip where I spent 5 days fishing on the Zambezi, and Malarone was the prescribed anti-malarial medication. Even without coffee, I found that I could feel the Malarone in my system at night when I tried to sleep; ambien solved the sleep problem, but I prefer to avoid that type of thing unless absolutely necessary.

More importantly, when I was unaware of the effect, I drank strong coffee on a shooting day. I found it very difficult to shoot accurately even from a bench rest when confirming the zero on my rifle. I avoided coffee and caffeinated sodas for the duration of the trip, but could still feel the chemical stimulation, especially within two or three hours of taking the pill. All in all, I would characterize the experience as an unpleasant surprise.

Better than getting malaria, of course, but still. Has anyone else had similar experiences?

11 September 2016, 03:48

larryshores

No but it definitely messes with my sleep. That is something I struggle with on the best of days.

11 September 2016, 04:02

Rockdoc

No problem when I used it. But the cost drove me to Doxy, plus Doxy is good for other ills and I didn't get the sun sensitivity others have reported. I have literally spent years in malaria regions no problems. Except for dengue fever, typhoid and something else! I do carry Malarone as a malaria treatment.

I would never, ever try Larium again. Would rather get malaria!

11 September 2016, 04:06

Charles_Helm

I don't recall any problems with Malarone. Definitely not going with Larium again.

11 September 2016, 08:20

surestrike

Malarone jacks me up hard! It gives me horrible insomnia. Next time I'll try Doxy.

11 September 2016, 08:27

spike.t

nope and have been on it for weeks at a time......but then lariam didnt do anything to me either......

11 September 2016, 08:28

Duckear

Insomnia is a commonly reported side effect of malarone

11 September 2016, 08:51

Wesheltonj

The first two days, almost vomited, took with wine. Thereafter crazy dreams on the evenings with booze. NO booze, No crazy dreams. But no problems nothing other then that.

11 September 2016, 09:17

Saeed

It is fascinating hearing all these horror stories.

Last week I had a meeting with one of our doctors and we actually discussed these malaria medicines.

He said he used Doxi whenever he went into malaria areas.

For me it is a different story altogether.

I have used Larium for so many years, without any side effects whatsoever.

A few years ago I switched to Malarone because my doctor recommended it.

Again, without any side effects whatsoever.

But, caffeine does not affect me either.

I can drink a gallon of coffee and go to sleep ten minutes later.

I do get bit by both mosquitoes and tse tse flies, but not as much as others around me.

I eat a lot of chili, and take a garlic tablet every day as well.

May be that has something to do with it.

My wife keeps saying mosquitoes drop dead as soon as they land on me. But we all know how wives tend to exaggerate things a bit

11 September 2016, 10:28

JBoutfishn

All I have used is Malarone. Never any issues.

My wife says I don't need any meds or repellent when she is around as they all congregate on her.

Not my fault.

11 September 2016, 16:11

spike.t

quote:
Originally posted by Saeed:
It is fascinating hearing all these horror stories.

For me it is a different story altogether.

I have used Larium for so many years, without any side effects whatsoever.

A few years ago I switch

I do get bit by both mosquitoes and tse tse flies, but not as much as others around me.

I eat a lot of chili, and take a garlic tablet every day as well.

May be that has something to do with it.

My wife keeps saying mosquitoes drop dead as soon as they land on me. But we all know how wives tend to exaggerate things a bit

i agree i find when i eat garlic every day the mozzies dont find you very attractive...takes a couple of days to percolate through . also remember talking to an australian woman who managed a top hotel in malaysia built into the jungle on a hill side, and she took vitamin b tablets and garlic tablets and said the effect of it coming out through her skin was that she never got bitten by a single mozzie.....

11 September 2016, 17:31

Labman

I've had the same effect regarding sleep with Malarone. The only way I could sleep was to take an Ambien. Taking one drug to counter the effects of another is something I won't do when there is a better alternative. I only use Ambien to get some sleep on the plane.

I use Doxy as an anti mlaria drug and haven't experienced any side effects like sun sensitivity.

11 September 2016, 17:51

df06

I had no sleep problems with Malarone, but weird dreams.

11 September 2016, 20:06

Fjold

I have no side effects with malarone.

11 September 2016, 20:32

jdollar

quote:
Originally posted by Labman:
I've had the same effect regarding sleep with Malarone. The only way I could sleep was to take an Ambien. Taking one drug to counter the effects of another is something I won't do when there is a better alternative. I only use Ambien to get some sleep on the plane.

I use Doxy as an anti mlaria drug and haven't experienced any side effects like sun sensitivity.

Same here. Plus it helps prevent tick bite fever

12 September 2016, 21:07

MacD37

quote:
Originally posted by analog_peninsula:
Does anyone else find that Malarone acts as a medium-strong stimulant? I just came back from a trip where I spent 5 days fishing on the Zambezi, and Malarone was the prescribed anti-malarial medication. Even without coffee, I found that I could feel the Malarone in my system at night when I tried to sleep; ambien solved the sleep problem, but I prefer to avoid that type of thing unless absolutely necessary.

More importantly, when I was unaware of the effect, I drank strong coffee on a shooting day. I found it very difficult to shoot accurately even from a bench rest when confirming the zero on my rifle. I avoided coffee and caffeinated sodas for the duration of the trip, but could still feel the chemical stimulation, especially within two or three hours of taking the pill. All in all, I would characterize the experience as an unpleasant surprise.

Better than getting malaria, of course, but still. Has anyone else had similar experiences?

A_P, Everyone cusses Larium but I have always used it and have never found it to give me even a slight hint of problem. It has never caused me to have strange dreams that most complain of or any sleepless nights, and I drink coffee like most folks drink water on a hot day.

The use of Larium may be just something that doesn't bother me but I never have felt anything from it's use! Maybe you should give Larium a try at home to make sure it doesn't bother you!
.....................................................................

12 September 2016, 21:22

Duckear

Malarone

Serious Reactions
hypersensitivity rxn
Stevens-Johnson syndrome
erythema multiforme
photosensitivity
hepatotoxicity (prophylaxis use)
neutropenia
anemia
pancytopenia

Common Reactions
LFTs elevated
abdominal pain
headache
nausea/vomiting
cough
diarrhea
asthenia
vivid dreams
oral ulcer
anorexia
dizziness
gastritis
pruritus
insomnia

15 September 2016, 02:43

analog_peninsula

Thanks for the responses everyone. I really appreciate the information and suggestions.

15 September 2016, 17:28

Svinejakt

quote:
Originally posted by Saeed:
It is fascinating hearing all these horror stories.

Last week I had a meeting with one of our doctors and we actually discussed these malaria medicines.

He said he used Doxi whenever he went into malaria areas.

For me it is a different story altogether.

I have used Larium for so many years, without any side effects whatsoever.

A few years ago I switched to Malarone because my doctor recommended it.

Again, without any side effects whatsoever.

But, caffeine does not affect me either.

I can drink a gallon of coffee and go to sleep ten minutes later.

I do get bit by both mosquitoes and tse tse flies, but not as much as others around me.

I eat a lot of chili, and take a garlic tablet every day as well.

May be that has something to do with it.

My wife keeps saying mosquitoes drop dead as soon as they land on me. But we all know how wives tend to exaggerate things a bit

There`s your answer