What’s your opinion on Lariam?

[scubadweeb]

Gentlemen (& Gasman)
(Just jokin' Oh Gaseous One)-
Thank you (so much) for your input. Finding a Doctor that is familiar with the faction of divers isn’t easy to do…until now! We’ll check out the alternatives and I’ll keep you posted. DocVikingo- never fear; I won’t ever constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. (I know you have to write that however, I thought I should give you a little “jab” about it). Sincerely, thank you for your information.

Thanks,
Scubadweeb

 

[cdiver2]

Diving PNG-AUS in Oct dive travel agent ( in AUS ) has said no to Lariam and recomends Doxycycline sometimes in combination with Maloprin. I contacted DAN and they said the only one they have in there books is Lariam. anyone with recent infomation.

 

[SA-Diver]

I dive in Mozambique about once a month and use Doxycycline.
I did find two problems with it with a possible third on which I cannot comment.
1. It is a daily dose.
2. If you take it before or close to a meal it can cause nausia.
3. I have heard that it could lead to photosensitivity but have not experienced that.

 

[cdiver2]

Thanks for the input Sa at the moment I have my Doc looking into all known drugs for this, it seems most of them have very undesirable side effects as far as diving is concerend.
The one thats seems the best so far is malarone side effects ,
1/GI
2/ headache

I was suprised at DAN as previously stated the only one on there books is Lariam.

Thanks again David

 

[pufferfish]

I took doxycycline for two months and the only problem was the photosensitivity in strange areas like over the sternum and around the ankles. Seemed to be that despite the sunscreen in certain areas without much subskin fat, burning was much easier. Must be something to do with where the drug accumulates in the skin and surrounding tissues.

Looks like malarone is the other alternative but check in at your local travel clinic where they have the specilized knowledge in this constantly changing area of anti malarial meds. And remember 'fever from the tropics is malaria until proven otherwise'

Malaria

 

[wreckchick]

I spent a week in the Belizean jungle last summer and let me tell you, mosquitos abound there and I took anti-malarial pills with me, I don't remember precisely what it was but it was a chloroquine+ medication. It was awful, the vivid dreaming was a joke around camp when we had our "med days". I gave up after 2 weeks, I was willing to risk malaria rather than take my meds.

The good news is that we weren't in a hot spot of malaria and I'm almost to my year home after which I don't need to worry about it.

Not being any kind of medical professional I would advise anyone that has had adverse reactions to the meds to check and see if malaria is prevelent in the area where you are travelling to determine the level of risk you're willing to assume. For me when I went for my physical prior to leaving all I had to say was "jungle" and I got the meds even though in the many years the project has been active not one person has ever contracted malaria.

I did get a typhoid and hep A vaccination, made sure my diptheria was up to date and had a titer done for rubella. If I go back, I'll probably skip the malaria meds and take more bug spray.

That's my experience.

Rachel

 

[clootie]

I had this same problem when I went to PNG on a dive trip two years ago. At the time I was living in Japan, and my doctor (German, at the local expat clinic) said he wouldn't prescribe Lariam for divers. Which suited me, after the various scare stories. He wanted to prescribe doxycycline - this is also what the Australian doctors in Cairns etc recommend to people going to PNG.

But doxycycline has a couple of disadvantages:

1) you need to start taking the tablets 1 week before, and continue for 28 days after. 1 tablet every day - this is one area where Lariam has an edge

2) it is quite a powerful antibiotic, which may be ok for the guys, but can lead to unpleasant side effects for the ladies, as it can cause thrush. I've had vibramycin for a throat infection, which is doxycycline by another name, and would prefer to avoid a repeat. Particularly if going to a hot, humid, tropical country, thank you very much much

3) and, again more for the ladies, but no doubt also of more than academic interest to their partners, doxycycline can interfere with the contraceptive pill, so anyone relying on the pill needs to switch to/add another form of birth control while taking it.

So, having done my research, I asked "what about Malarone", and he agreed it was a good alternative.

As well as relatively few reported side effects you only have to take Malarone tablets two days in advance, one a day while you're there and for one week after leaving the malarial area. Disadvantage - cost. It's much more expensive - it was about $10/day I think, though I can't remember if it was AUS or US $. Still, cheaper than dealing with side effect 3) above methinks.

Only problem, it wasn't available in Japan. So I had to get it sent out from the UK. And I'd just like to thank Lake Pharmacy in Cairns for filling my prescription urgently when the post didn't arrive in time! Of course, I then had a spare fortnight's supply when it did turn up, so I just had to organise another dive trip to PNG.

Have a great trip, whatever you take. remember, while lariam may be contraindicated, malaria isn't a good dive buddy to have either!

 

[cdiver2]

Thanks for the input I think we came to the conclusion that Malarone was the way to go. Docs in the US no help they just said they all have side effects your choice. How was PNG we are doing four days at Walindi then four days Osprey reef in the Coral sea, any info wil be appreciated.
Thanks David

 

[clootie]

David

PNG was fantastic - both trips. One trip was to Kavieng, and the other to Milne Bay. Neither of them is particularly close to Walindi, but some things will be the same. First, the water temperature was heavenly - I used lycra suits and only cracked out the 3mm for the night dives. Viz was generally fantastic -not always on Kavieng because of tides, and run off after heavy rains - not while we were there luckily, but the week before. But a lot of that is current diving anyway. Milne Bay was great for seeing rare little critters. But the big plus was just the fantastic state of the coral, and having so very few people around. One of the reasons I love diving is it's the perfect antidote to city living - and PNG was definitely relaxed and off the beaten track.

Coral sea is some pretty fine diving too - again great viz - but you do need the wetsuit there.

I took some pics - check out homepage.mac.com/pennym if you're interested.

 

[cdiver2]

Thanks Clootie, I took a look at your home page great. I was impressed with the nudi's, depth of field is very good what did you use it seems to good for macro ?. I have just got a Nik v and starting on the learning curv.
David