Malarone and Pregnancy?

tucci013

Hi all!

New here.  My husband and I are planning an African safari in September.  I will be taking Malarone prior to and during the trip.  I've done some research regarding conception following treatment with Malarone and I have found almost nothing (with the exception of a few studies tracking conception following Malarone in rabbits...?!)  My travel doctor recommended waiting 1-3 months after the final pill.  Has anyone else conceived or ttc after Malarone?  Tips, thoughts, advice?

Thanks!

MrsNash37212

Where are you going in Africa? I work for a safari company. Malarone is intense stuff (though not nearly as bad as larium), so I would recommend waiting at least a month before TTC. It can have some crummy side effects (nausea is very common), so take it right before you go to bed.

If you're going to the Mara, my personal opinion is that you don't need to take it, especially if you use DEET on any exposed skin at night. The anopheles mosquito only feeds between 11pm and 4am. The elevation is fairly high, it's cool at night, and the rainy season will have been several months before. Again, that's just my personal experience. Do what makes you feel comfortable.

mckenya

I just spent a year in Kenya and the first 6 weeks of my pregnancy were in Kenya.  I agree with the previous poster that you might not need to take it depending on your location (I didn't take it until the rainy season which is April/May in Kenya).  

 

I am not 100% sure about Malarone but Mefloquin is safe during pregnancy.  My DH is a med student doing research with several infectious disease experts (these people know a LOT about malaria) and they assured me it was safe during pregnancy.  In fact one of the other MDs was pregnant and on mefloquin.  Also, check out the CDC research that shows Mefloquin is safe.

 

Not to "bash" your MD but a lot of American MDs don't know what they're talking about when it comes to this stuff because they have no exposure to it.  It's easier for them to just say, "well just avoid it" but that's not always possible (like if you LIVE in Africa).  I'm sure your doctor is well intentioned but just may not be the best informed.  Some older anti-malarials are actually teratogenic (cause birth defects) and that's what a lot of MDs are aware of.  My DH was adamant that I not get pregnant if there was any risk from the drugs, etc. and after living there for a month, we realized the truth that it was quite safe and got on the baby train!  (It took us a while but that's unrelated to anti-malarials!). 

 

Have a great time.  Safari is amaaaaazing! 

tucci013

Thanks for the thorough responses.  We are headed to Tanzania for 12 days in September.  As I mentioned- the information on Malarone seems very limited... and I have my own concerns about DEET as well (during/after/regardless of pregnancy)...

As suspicious as I am of Malarone, I feel inclined to take it as directed.  Guess I will err on the side of caution and wait a number of months before ttc.

Thanks for the advice!

maureenellent

I lived in Zambia for a year and went with a huge bottle of Malarone. I did not take it before I went and I ONLY took it during the rainy season (Nov-May). Malarone can also be used to help TREAT malaria.  I also did not lather myself in bug spray unless I was around areas with water (mosquito breeding grounds). 

You will probably be fine without it.