Answer: Yes, in the UK, other than Lariam (mefloquine), there are malaria preventive medications that can be taken weekly prior to traveling to Nigeria. However, mefloquine (Lariam) is specifically noted for once-weekly dosing. While some antimalarials in the UK are taken daily, weekly dosing alternatives include drugs like mefloquine. For instance, Malarivon syrup can be used as weekly prophylaxis, though it is primarily indicated with specific dosing schedules and target groups. Another option branded as Maloff Protect (atovaquone/proguanil) is commonly used for malaria prophylaxis but is typically taken daily rather than weekly. Therefore, besides mefloquine, no widely recommended weekly regimen other than mefloquine (Lariam) is standardly used in UK malaria prophylaxis guidelines for travel to Nigeria.
Explanation and context: Mefloquine (Lariam) is the primary antimalarial drug licensed for weekly dosing for malaria chemoprophylaxis, especially for areas with multidrug-resistant P. falciparum such as Nigeria, and should be started 10 days before travel and continued weekly until 4 weeks after leaving the risk area SmPC Lariam,NICE CKS. Other antimalarials like atovaquone/proguanil (Maloff Protect) require daily dosing rather than weekly and may have contraindications or precautions, especially in patients with certain co-medications or conditions SmPC MaloffProtect. Malarivon syrup can be administered weekly in children according to age-specific doses but is less commonly used in adults and not routinely highlighted for adults travelling to Nigeria SmPC Malarivon. Thus, if weekly dosing is a strict requirement, mefloquine remains the predominant choice in UK practice SmPC Lariam,NICE CKS.