Bit of a PSA:

[starfoozle]

Even the most reportedly benign malaria drugs may have unexpected side effects. Remember this while you are taking them. The entire universe will suddenly get spectacularly more irritating, but keep in mind that it's your perception of it, not the universe itself, that has changed. Except for the parts of the universe that consist of your

Comments

[persephone_kore]

That sounds like an incredibly bizarre experience and I'll try to keep it in mind if I ever am somewhere that requires anti-malarial drugs.

[starfoozle]

Antimalarials are a weird class of drugs as a whole. Of the three major ones prescribed, one has side effects like the ones I mentioned, another will clear up your acne but make you get horribly sunburned over the full month you're supposed to take it, and one occasionally causes night terrors and clinical psychosis. Pick your poison.

Interestingly, the Malarone side effects were minimal for everyone who wasn't on antidepressants or their period. I was just fine until the hormones kicked in, and everybody else who's cycling has reported out-of-character mood swings as well, even taking PMS into account. My friends on antidepressants have been having a near-impossible time managing their moods. Everybody else was perfectly fine -- seems there's a lot of body chemistry to take into account when choosing the meds that are right for you.