Lariam

Brand Name:Apo-Mefloquine

Prescription needed: Yes

What is this drug used for?

Mefloquine treats and prevents malaria. It is recommended in cases and areas in which malaria is resistant to other drugs. Malaria is caused by a parasite that is transferred to humans from the saliva of a female mosquito. The parasite settles in the liver where it begins to multiply.

Mefloquine works by killing the malaria parasite in the liver and preventing their multiplication. Mefloquine also kills any of these parasites that may enter the bloodstream.

Is there any reason not to take this drug?

You should not take this drug if you are allergic to mefloquine or similar drugs such as quinine or quinidine. If you have had seizures or depression, let your doctor know. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

  • anxiety attacks
  • other emotional or mental problems
  • problems with your heart, kidney or liver

What about possible side effects?

The most common side effects are:

  • abdominal pain
  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
  • headache
  • nausea, vomiting
  • unable to sleep, bad dreams
  • diarrhea

Side effects are usually mild. Side effects may be related to dose or duration, depending on whether you are taking mefloquine to prevent or treat malaria. There have been reports that some side effects may continue for a few weeks after the last dose.

Other less common side effects and potentially serious include:

Contact your doctor right away if you experience:

  • unexplained anxiety or panic attacks
  • feeling depressed
  • restlessness, agitation
  • confusion
  • hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)
  • seizures
  • chest pain
  • palpitations or irregular heartbeat
  • rash

This is not a complete list of side effects. If you are concerned about these or other unusual symptoms while taking this medication, ask your doctor and/or pharmacist for more information and advice.

What if I am taking other drugs?

Always provide your doctor with a list of all other drugs you are taking (including over-the-counter medications and herbal/natural products) as they may interact with and/or may change the safety or effectiveness of either drug. Tell your doctor specifically if you are taking any of these drugs as these are the most common interactions and he/she may need to make changes or monitor you more closely:

  • quinidine or quinine - use of these medicines together with mefloquine may result in a slow heartbeat and other heart problems; also, an increased chance of seizures may occur when quinine is taken together with mefloquine
  • anticonvulsants (carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, valproic acid) - effects of the anticonvulsant (medicine to stop or reduce effects of seizures) may not work as well
  • heart medications such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline), erythromycin antibiotics - may increase the chances of abnormal heart rhythms
  • certain live vaccines may not work when you are taking mefloquine - your doctor may want you to finish your vaccines at least 3 days before starting this medication; check with your doctor

This is not a complete list of drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your list of medications.

Other information:

How to take this medication: Take with food or after a meal to increase absorption of medication. Take with a full glass of water. Do not chew. You may crush and suspend it in a small amount of water, milk or other beverage if you are unable to swallow.

If you are taking this medicine for malaria prevention, you need to take it before traveling to a malaria area, while you are in the area and for a time period after you return. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

Laboratory tests: If you are taking this medication for a long time, your doctor may order blood tests and eye exams periodically to check how you are responding to the medication.

Protect against mosquito bites: Malaria medicines do not always completely prevent you from catching malaria from mosquito bites. Protect yourself very well against mosquitoes by covering your skin with long-sleeved clothing and using mosquito repellent and bed-nets. For more information, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Children: Are more sensitive to side effects. Lower dose may be necessary. Talk to your doctor.

Seniors: Are more sensitive to side effects.

Pregnancy: Safety of mefloquine is not known in the first trimester. Practice safe birth control if you are taking mefloquine for malaria prevention. However, it is dangerous for mother and unborn baby (fetus) to get malaria during pregnancy. Discuss the risks versus benefits of taking mefloquine or other malaria medicine with your doctor.

Women who are nursing: This drug passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the risks versus benefits.

People who drive or operate machinery: Should not do so until they know how this drug affects them personally. Mefloquine can cause dizziness, loss of balance or fine motor coordination. For some people, this effect may last for a few weeks after the last dose.

Alcohol: May increase the chances of dizziness or other fine motor coordination.

Overdose: A large overdose of this medicine could cause serious symptoms. If you experience any unusual reactions, or if you seriously exceed the recommended dosage, call your doctor or 911.

Stopping the drug: Talk to your doctor before you stop taking this drug. Otherwise, a malaria infection may persist or you may not get adequate protection from malaria. If your doctor thinks it is necessary to stop taking this medication, he/she will prescribe another malaria medicine instead.

If you miss a dose: Take it as soon as you remember. However, if your next dose is almost due, do not take the missed dose. Instead, wait and take the next scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose. If you are unsure of what to do, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Storage conditions: Closed container; cool, dry location away from excess moisture (not in the bathroom) and light; always out of reach of children.

Dietary precautions: None unless prescribed by your doctor.