mefloquine Health Article

Generic name(s):

mefloquine

Brand name(s):

Lariam

What is the most important information I should know about mefloquine?

In some cases, serious mental side effects have occurred in people taking mefloquine. Stop taking mefloquine and seek medical attention immediately if unexplained signs of anxiety, depression, restlessness, feelings that people are against you, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there, for example), psychotic behavior, thoughts of suicide, or confusion occur. However, it is important to continue to take a medicine for protection from malaria when traveling to a malaria area. A healthcare provider may need to prescribe a different medication. Use caution when driving or performing other hazardous activities until you know how this medication affects you. Mefloquine may cause dizziness, restlessness, or confusion during therapy and for several weeks after treatment has ended.

Mefloquine is not 100% effective for the prevention of malaria. Protective clothing, insect repellents, and bednets are important components of malaria prophylaxis. Seek medical attention for any illness with fever that occurs after return from a malarious area and inform your doctor that you may have been exposed to malaria.

What is mefloquine?

Mefloquine is an antimalarial drug. The exact way that mefloquine works is unknown.

Mefloquine is used in the treatment and prevention of malaria.

Mefloquine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking mefloquine?

Do not take mefloquine without first talking to your doctor if you have a history of depression, an anxiety disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia, another major psychiatric disorder, or seizures.

Before taking mefloquine, tell your doctor if you have

• liver disease;

• an irregular heartbeat or heart disease; or

• an allergy to quinine or quinidine.

You may not be able to take mefloquine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Mefloquine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Animal studies have shown that it may be dangerous. It is recommended that a reliable birth control be used during treatment with mefloquine. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Mefloquine passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take mefloquine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take mefloquine?

Take mefloquine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass, at least 8 ounces (240 mL) of water. Take mefloquine immediately after a meal.

For children or those who have difficulty swallowing, mefloquine can be crushed and mixed with water or sugar water. Talk to your healthcare provider if swallowing the tablets is difficult.

If vomiting occurs within 30 minutes of taking a dose of mefloquine, an additional dose should be taken. If vomiting occurs within 30 to 60 minutes of taking a dose, an additional half-dose should be taken unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

For malaria prevention, you may need to take mefloquine before you travel, while you are in a malaria area, and for several weeks after you leave the area. Your healthcare provider will give you detailed instructions. For the treatment of malaria, directions for taking the medication may be different.

In some cases, serious mental side effects have occurred in people taking mefloquine. Stop taking mefloquine and seek medical attention immediately if unexplained signs of anxiety, depression, restlessness, feelings that people are against you, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there, for example), psychotic behavior, thoughts of suicide, or confusion occur. If you stop taking mefloquine, leave the malaria area unless you are able to contact a health care provider or have access to another medication to protect against malaria. You should be aware that leaving the malaria area does not protect you from getting malaria. You still need to take a medicine to protect against malaria.

Mefloquine is not 100% effective for the prevention of malaria. Protective clothing, insect repellents, and bednets are important components of malaria prophylaxis. Seek medical attention for any illness with fever that occurs after return from a malarious area and inform your doctor that you may have been exposed to malaria.

Tell your healthcare providers that you are taking mefloquine before taking any new medications. Also, tell you healthcare providers if you have recently finished taking mefloquine before taking any new medications.

Store mefloquine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.