Malaria drug - Tafenoquine

[ChrisN]

I'm traveling to Raja Ampat and I was wondering if anyone has tried using Tafenoquine for malaria? It's a newer drug and it seems that since you don't need to take a pill "daily" while diving/traveling, it might be an easier regiment than daily use of Malarone. Thanks, Chris

 

[Searcaigh]

Best advice I can give is to avoid being bitten to begin with.

Use sprays etc., on exposed skin and burn coils, cover up as much as possible to avoid exposure, use a mosquito net when sleeping.

 

[ChrisN]

@Searcaigh: Of course, the idea is avoid getting bitten. But, I'm looking for someone who has tried or heard of the efficacy of Tafenoquine. It's a new FDA approved malaria drug in the US for travel to Indonesia.

 

[TostitoBandito]

I'd use another drug with more data on it like malarone or doxy. There are some drugs like melfoquine which have side effects which aren't conducive to diving, and given the lack of reliable data/studies on tefenoquine I wouldn't roll those dice. At the very least you need to have a detailed conversation with your doctor about it, ideally one familiar with SCUBA, and get a full appraisal of the risks and possible side effects.