[Pharmaceutical care for international voyagers: prophylaxis including chloroquine plus proguanil]

A pharmacotherapeutic follow-up of 42 voyagers prescribed with antimalarial chemoprophylaxis including chloroquine plus proguanil was performed. A report-based retrospective study showed 69% of chemoprophylaxis compliance. Adverse effects related to this type of medication would develop in 33% of voyagers. Adverse effects most commonly detected were mainly mild to moderate gastrointestinal (28.5% of voyagers) events. Resulting data are consistent with the safety profile of the chloroquine/proguanil combination as established in the international literature. It is concluded that antimalarial chemoprophylaxis should be initiated at 15 days before departure when prolonged stays are expected, so that potential adverse effects may be detected beforehand.