Description
What Is Doxycycline?
Doxycycline is an oral drug that helps to prevent malaria in travellers to malaria-endemic areas. The drug is a good option for places with chloroquine or multidrug-resistant P. falciparum. Doxycycline is swallowed once daily, beginning 1-2 days before travel, while in malaria-prone areas, and four weeks after leaving. Doxycycline is a prescription drug. It has a low chance of bacterial resistance, thus increasing effective treatment when taken as prescribed. The 100mg capsule is the most common treatment for malaria prevention
How Does Doxycycline Work?
Doxycycline 100 mg daily is highly effective at killing the erythrocytic stages of the malaria parasite. It is tetracycline, with both antibacterial and antiprotozoal properties. Parasitic protozoans cause malaria, and the antiprotozoal properties are what help to prevent malaria. The drug helps prevent the production of vital proteins needed to make new malaria parasites in our bodies. Without the protein, the parasites die. Doxycycline comes in a range of strengths and formulations.
