Malaria in India: Why I Stopped Taking Doxycycline

Originally published February 11, 2010. Substantially revised October 2026.

When I first began traveling to India in 2005, malaria medication was part of my predeparture routine. Along with booking flights, arranging hotels, and packing my bags, I made sure to get a prescription for doxycycline.

It wasn’t particularly enjoyable. I experienced some of the common side effects, although nothing serious enough to make me stop taking it.

In 2010, I wrote an article comparing doxycycline with Malarone, another commonly prescribed malaria-prevention medication. A travel companion had asked about the differences before an upcoming trip to South India, and after some research, we settled on doxycycline.

Sixteen years later, I haven’t taken malaria medication in quite some time.

Why Did I Stop?

I got lazy.

By 2013, I’d stopped taking doxycycline. I didn’t take antimalarial medication on my trips in 2024 or 2025, either.

Part of it was becoming more comfortable traveling in India. The country felt increasingly familiar, and some of the precautions I’d taken on earlier trips gradually fell away.

There’s another factor: I live on a lake in Wisconsin, surrounded by forest. Mosquitoes and other biting insects are simply part of life here. Some evenings, stepping outside means becoming dinner for half the insect population.

I’m accustomed to it.

Mosquitoes in Wisconsin can carry West Nile virus and other illnesses. I accept a certain amount of exposure every day I spend outdoors. I can’t realistically take preventive medication every day of the summer simply because mosquitoes are present.

That familiarity probably contributed to my increasingly casual attitude toward mosquitoes in India.

Of course, malaria is a different disease, and the risks aren’t directly comparable. Being accustomed to mosquitoes at home doesn’t offer any protection against malaria abroad.

The Mosquitoes of Kerala

In 2024, while staying aboard a houseboat in Kerala, we encountered some particularly persistent mosquitoes.

We stopped at a local chemist and purchased mosquito repellent. Rather than the familiar spray I expected, we came away with wipes packaged in a small tubular plastic container. On the label was a rather unhappy-looking mosquito.

As it turned out, we never needed them.

Almost as if the mosquitoes knew we’d come prepared, they disappeared before we could open the container.

Shrug.

Is Malaria Still a Risk in India?

Yes. Malaria remains a concern in parts of India, and the risk varies depending on your itinerary, the season, and your activities. The CDC identifies transmission in many areas, including some major cities.

Before departure, check the current CDC recommendations for India and discuss your itinerary with a travel-health professional. The CDC recommends preventive medication for travelers to malaria-risk areas; whether and which medication is appropriate should be decided with a clinician.

Doxycycline vs. Malarone

These were the two medications I compared in my original 2010 article. Both remain options for malaria prevention, although other medications are available.

One consideration with doxycycline is photosensitivity, which can make your skin considerably more susceptible to sunburn.

And India isn’t exactly a destination where avoiding the sun is easy.

Think about spending an afternoon walking through Jaipur, exploring the monuments of Delhi, or visiting the Taj Mahal in Agra. You’re outdoors for hours, often in intense sunlight.

Taking doxycycline means being particularly careful about sun exposure. That can involve long sleeves, trousers, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and regular applications of broad-spectrum sunscreen.

In other words, you’re either covering yourself up in a country where temperatures can easily exceed 90°F, or being exceptionally diligent about sunscreen. Preferably both.

Neither sounds particularly appealing when you’re already dealing with the heat.

Malarone generally doesn’t carry the same photosensitivity concern, although it has its own potential side effects and isn’t suitable for everyone.

There’s also the matter of how long you continue taking each medication. Doxycycline is generally continued for four weeks after leaving a malaria-risk area, compared with seven days for Malarone.

Those are meaningful differences worth discussing with your doctor before deciding which medication is appropriate. For details, see the CDC Yellow Book malaria guidance.

What About Mosquito Repellent?

I used to rely on a natural insect repellent, something I mentioned in my original article. At the time, I wasn’t convinced it worked quite as well as conventional products containing DEET.

My opinion of natural repellents has improved considerably.

The products have come a long way, and I particularly appreciate that many don’t leave the sticky or oily residue I associate with some conventional sprays. With certain repellents, I feel as though I need another shower almost immediately after applying them.

That’s hardly appealing when you’re spending an entire day outdoors in India.

These days, I often prefer the feel of natural formulations, although I still carry conventional repellent. But natural doesn’t automatically mean effective. Some plant-derived products, such as those containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or its active ingredient PMD, have established repellent uses. Others have less evidence behind them.

For mosquito-borne disease prevention, look for a product with a proven active ingredient and follow its application instructions. The EPA’s repellent search tool is useful for comparing options.

Long sleeves, trousers, screened rooms, and mosquito nets where appropriate also help reduce exposure. Mosquitoes capable of transmitting dengue and other illnesses may bite during daylight hours, so protection isn’t just an evening consideration.

A Few Things Worth Remembering

If you’re considering malaria-prevention medication, arrange a consultation before leaving home. Your doctor can review your itinerary, medical history, and the latest recommendations.

If you develop a fever during or after travel to a malaria-risk area, seek prompt medical attention and mention your travel history. Malaria can become serious, and symptoms may appear after you’ve returned home.

As for my own decision to stop taking doxycycline, I wouldn’t present it as advice.

I’ve traveled extensively in India without malaria medication since 2013. I’ve also spent much of my life surrounded by mosquitoes at home in Wisconsin.

Neither experience makes me immune to mosquito-borne illness.

I’ll continue to assess the risks before future trips, even if my personal approach has become considerably more relaxed than it was in 2005.

This article reflects personal travel experiences and general information, not medical advice. Consult a qualified travel-health professional about malaria prevention before traveling to India.

Related Reading

• Health, Vaccinations & Medications for Travel to India
• Staying Safe in India Without Becoming Fearful
• The Essential Predeparture Checklist for India

Official health resources: CDC Travelers’ Health: India · CDC Malaria Prevention · Full Stop India: Health, Vaccinations & Medications for Travel to India