What is Maloff Protect?

Maloff Protect is a pharmacy-only (P) antimalarial medicine used to prevent malaria in adults travelling to areas where malaria is common.

Each tablet contains atovaquone 250 mg and proguanil hydrochloride 100 mg, a proven combination that stops malaria parasites from reproducing in your bloodstream.

Because Maloff Protect is pharmacy-only, you can buy it over the counter in the UK after a short consultation with a pharmacist—no GP prescription is needed.

What is Maloff Protect Used For?

Malaria Prevention for Travellers

Taken before, during, and after travel to high-risk areas, Maloff Protect protects you from infection by Plasmodium falciparum, the most dangerous malaria parasite.

Short-Term or Long-Term Trips

Suitable for both holidays and extended stays in malaria-endemic regions when used exactly as directed.

How Maloff Protect Works

The two active ingredients work in different but complementary ways:

Atovaquone stops the parasite from producing energy, so it cannot survive.
Proguanil prevents the parasite from making DNA, blocking reproduction.
Together they kill the parasite during its blood stage, the point at which it causes illness.

When to Consider Maloff Protect

Adults travelling to malaria-endemic areas—including much of sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Asia, Central and South America, and some Pacific islands—should take preventative medication.
Start Maloff Protect 1–2 days before travel, continue daily during the trip, and keep taking it for 7 days after leaving the risk area.

Who Can and Cannot Take Maloff Protect

Suitable for healthy adults aged 18 and over, and adolescents/adults ≥40 kg, after pharmacist screening.
Not suitable for people with severe kidney problems, anyone allergic to atovaquone or proguanil, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding unless specifically advised by a doctor.
Always share your full medical history and current medicines with the pharmacist to check for interactions (for example, certain antibiotics, anticoagulants, or epilepsy medicines).

Directions – How to Take Maloff Protect

Dose: One tablet once daily, swallowed with food or a milky drink to aid absorption.

Schedule: Begin 1–2 days before entering the malaria area, continue daily during travel, and keep taking for 7 days after leaving.

Missed Dose: Take as soon as you remember unless it’s nearly time for the next dose—never double up.

Ingredients

Active: Atovaquone 250 mg, Proguanil hydrochloride 100 mg

Inactive: Microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, povidone, magnesium stearate, and other standard tablet excipients (may vary by manufacturer).

Always read the patient information leaflet (PIL) in your pack for the complete list of ingredients, and to check for any you might be allergic to.

Common (usually mild and temporary):

Headache, dizziness
Nausea, stomach pain, diarrhoea
Cough or mild skin rash

Uncommon but important:

Severe abdominal pain or persistent vomiting
Yellowing of the skin/eyes (possible liver effects)
Allergic reaction (swelling of face/lips/tongue, difficulty breathing)

If you notice swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing, high fever, persistent vomiting or diarrhoea that prevents taking tablets, call 999 or go to A&E immediately.

For less urgent concerns (e.g. mild rash, ongoing stomach upset), contact your GP, pharmacist, or NHS 111 for advice.