Home > Living Well > Health Library > mefloquine
Pronunciation: MEF loe kwin
Brand: Lariam
slide 1 of 3, Mefloquine Hydrochloride,
250 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with 54 111
slide 3 of 3, Lariam,
250 mg, round, white, imprinted with LARIAM 250 ROCHE
Some people taking mefloquine have had sudden serious psychiatric or nerve problems, some of which lasted long after they stopped taking this medicine. These side effects can be permanent.
Stop taking mefloquine and call your doctor right away if have any of these side effects: headache, ringing in your ears, dizziness, loss of balance, problems with coordination, anxiety, depression, paranoia, hallucinations, or thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
You should not take mefloquine to prevent malaria if you have a recent history of depression, an anxiety disorder, seizures, mental illness (such as schizophrenia), or psychosis.
Mefloquine is a medicine used to treat malaria, a disease caused by parasites. This medicine works by interfering with the growth of parasites in the red blood cells of the human body.
Mefloquine is also used to prevent malaria.
Mefloquine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking mefloquine?
Some people taking mefloquine have had sudden serious psychiatric or nerve problems. Some of these effects have lasted for months to years after mefloquine treatment ended, and these side effects can be permanent. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about taking mefloquine.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to mefloquine or similar medications such as quinine or quinidine.
To make sure mefloquine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
FDA pregnancy category B. It is not known whether mefloquine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant while using this medication. Use effective birth control while you are using this medication and for at least 3 months after your treatment ends.
Mefloquine should not be used to treat malaria in a child younger than 6 months without a doctor's advice. Mefloquine should not be used to prevent malaria in a child who weighs less than 44 pounds.
Take mefloquine just after your main meal.
If you vomit within 30 minutes after taking mefloquine, take another full dose. If you vomit 30 to 60 minutes after taking the medicine, take another half dose. If your vomiting continues, call your doctor.
Mefloquine is usually taken once per week to prevent malaria.
Since mefloquine is often used as a single dose, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are on a weekly schedule, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Then take the next dose on your next usual dosing day. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Do not take halofantrine or ketoconazole while you are taking mefloquine and for at least 15 weeks after you stop taking it. Serious, life-threatening side effects on your heart can occur if you take halofantrine before the mefloquine has cleared from your body.
Avoid taking chloroquine, quinine, or quinidine while you are taking mefloquine.
Mefloquine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive, operate machinery, pilot an airplane, scuba dive, or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Stop taking mefloquine and call your doctor right away if you any of these side effects:
Stop using mefloquine and call your doctor at once if you have:
increased blood pressure --severe headache, blurred vision, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats; or
What other drugs will affect mefloquine?
Many drugs can interact with mefloquine. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your medications and any you start or stop using during treatment with mefloquine, especially:
This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with mefloquine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.
Your pharmacist can provide more information about mefloquine.