If I have taken doxycycline for acne in the past, is it effective for preventing malaria now?
I wаѕ οn doxycycline fοr 4 years іn high school аnd now mу doctor рυt mе οn іt tο prevent malaria (I аm going tο India). I аm јυѕt nervous thаt being οn thе antibiotic fοr ѕο long wіll cause thе bacteria tο bе doxycycline-resistant. Iѕ mу thinking сοrrесt οr аrе malaria-causing bacteria different? Thank уου!
First off, bacteria is not the causative agent of malaria. Malaria is caused by a PARASITE called Plasmodium.
I feel that you can rest assured that the doxycycline will be effective. You MUST adhere to the instructions given to you, though. I hope the doctor told you the following: You must begin taking it before your trip to India. Once there, it should be continued once a day, at the same time each day, and daily for 4 weeks after you leave the area.
Plasmodium does have the capability to be doxycycline resistant, but I have NEVER heard of a case of that happening. When doxycycline fails, it is because of compliance or dosage issues.
And worst case scenerio, let’s say a resistant strain does exist…if you were to contract a strain in India, it would not be because of YOUR use of the drug in high school, as you have never been exposed to malaria. The parasite was not in your blood for the last four years BECOMING resistant.
In my opinion, you will be protected…no worries. Take care and have a great trip! I am jealous…I wish I was going!