I was reading the flyer in a box of Malarone and noticed that taking Tetracycline in conjunction with Malarone can reduce the drug effectiveness. Reportedly Tetracycline can reduce the amount of malarone in the patients blood by 40%!

I know Doxycycline is a related drug to tetracycline and is often prescribed for african travel.

Does anyone know if it has a similar effect on Malarone?

I've got both drugs.

Medscape interaction search says there is no interaction. Tetracycline HCl, doxycycline, minocycline, all are "tetracyclines" but are apples and oranges in their interaction profiles. I will charge you for any further advice.

Thank you RIP.

I was a little concerned if I needed to take the Doxycycline for other reasons I would decrease the effectiveness of the Malarone.

FYI ...

Although not answering your question specifically, this is a good general overview of what we use when going to Zambia

Cheers, Peter
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Mefloquine (Mefliam) is taken in adult dosage of one tablet per week. This should be commenced at least one week before entering the malarias area and continued for four weeks after leaving the malarious area. Mefloquine (mefliam) is best taken at night after a meal, and with liquids. The principal contra-indications to the use of mefloquine (mefliam) are a history of psychiatric problems or epilepsy.

I personally normally use (Doxycycline) .... Some people can experience very mild sun burn symptoms with Doxy BUT I don't seem to be effected myself at all by that, I don't have any side effects from using Doxy so it is my personal preference.

Doxycycline is taken in an adult dosage of 100mg per day, starting a day or two before entering a malarias area. Like mefloquine (mefliam) it should be taken for four weeks after return. The drug should be taken after a meal, and washed down with plenty of liquid. It should be avoided in pregnancy and children.

When in camp we burn a special coil within the chalets at night and there are also mosquito nets. You should also obtain or bring some DEET insect repellent as well which can be used not only for the mozzies but for insects in general, and it is a good idea to bring along some anti histamine tablets as if bitten by tsetsi flies, apart from the bad stinging when bitten, some people can get welts or red lumps form around the bite, I personally am badly effected that way by tsetsi bites, but some people only have a mild itchy small lump that goes away within a day or less

Generally at night and early morning when the mozzies are most prevalent it is a (good basic precaution) to wear long sleeves and long trousers as prevention is better than cure.