Side effects: Doxycycline may cause mild side effects such as headache, feeling sick, being sick, stomach upset, diarrhoea, or a skin rash. It can also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so extra sun protection is important while taking it.
Additional precautions: Doxycycline helps prevent malaria but does not replace mosquito bite protection. It is usually started 1 to 2 days before entering a malaria risk area, taken daily during travel, and continued for 4 weeks after leaving. It should be taken with food if possible, with plenty of water, and not just before lying down. It is not suitable for children under 12 years old.
Risks caused by malaria: Malaria is a serious and potentially life-threatening infection spread by mosquito bites. It can cause fever, headache, fatigue, abdominal discomfort, and muscle aches, and in severe cases it can lead to serious complications or death if not treated quickly.