Mefloquine

What is Mefloquine?

Mefloquine, also known as mefloquine, is used to treat parasitic malaria. Mefloquine interferes with parasite growth in red blood cells. The parasites that cause malaria usually enter the body via the bite of the mosquito. Malaria is an epidemic in Africa, South America and Southeast Asia. Mefloquine can also be used to prevent malaria. Mefloquine can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.

Side effects of Mefloquine

If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek emergency medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat. If you experience any of the following side effects, stop taking mefloquine immediately and contact your doctor.

• Dizziness, sudden headaches, ringing ears, loss of balance, or coordination problems
• Depression and severe anxiety
• Hallucinations, paranoia (seeing or listening to things that are not true);
• Unusual behavior or confusion
• Suicide or self-harm thoughts are common.

Mefloquine may cause serious side effects. If you experience:

• A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
• Seizure (convulsions);
• Increased blood pressure symptoms include severe headaches, blurred vision, and chest pain.
• Liver problems: nausea, upper stomach discomfort, itching and tiredness, loss of appetite. Other symptoms include dark urine, clay-colored stools, and jaundice.

Mefloquine can have a number of side effects.

• Stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea;
• Dizziness;
• Muscle pain;
• Fever, chills;
• Mild skin rash

There may be other side effectsCall your doctor immediately if experiencing side effects. For medical advice regarding possible adverse reactions.The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.

Similar/related drugs

Doxycycline, clindamycin, hydroxychloroquine, Plaquenil, Cleocin, Vibramycin, and Monodox

Warnings

Some mefloquine users have experienced sudden and serious nerve or psychiatric problems. These problems can last for a long time after stopping mefloquine. These side effects may be permanent. If you experience any of the following side effects, stop taking mefloquine immediately and contact your doctor. These include: dizziness, loss of balance, coordination problems, anxiety, depression, paranoia, hallucinations, or thoughts of suicide or harming yourself. Mefloquine is not recommended for malaria prevention if you suffer from depression, anxiety, seizures, or a mental illness such as schizophrenia or psychosis.

Before you take this drug

People who have taken mefloquine may experience sudden, serious nerve or psychiatric problems. These side effects can last for many months or even years after the treatment has ended. Speak to your doctor about any concerns you may have regarding mefloquine. This medication should not be used if you have an allergy to mefloquine or other similar medications like quinidine or quinoline.

Mefloquine should also not be used to prevent malaria in those who have had a recent history of:

• Depression;
• An anxiety disorder
• Seizures;
• Mental illness (such as schizophrenia) or psychosis

Your doctor may still prescribe mefloquine for malaria treatment, even if you have one of the above conditions. Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that mefloquine will be safe for you:

• Heart disease
• Liver disease
• Epilepsy or another seizure disorder
• Diabetes;
• Bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
• A history of mental illness;
• If you are taking a blood thinner such as warfarin, Coumadin, or Jantoven,

FDA pregnancy category B. Mefloquine is not known to harm unborn babies. You should tell your doctor if this medication causes you to become pregnant. Use birth control for 3 months following your treatment and while taking this medication. Mefloquine may pass into breast milk and harm nursing babies. You should tell your doctor if a child is breastfed. It is not recommended to use mefloquine without the advice of a physician in order to diagnose or treat malaria in children younger than six months. Mefloquine shouldn't be used to treat malaria when a child weighs less than 44 pounds.

How to take Mefloquine?

Do not exceed the dosage or duration recommended on your prescription. Take mefloquine only at the recommended dose. Do not exceed this amount or take it for longer. If you stop taking the medication early for any reason, talk to your doctor about other ways to prevent malaria. Talk to your doctor if you need to stop taking the medication for any reason. After your main meal, take mefloquine. This medicine should be taken with 8 ounces of water. You can crush the mefloquine tablets and mix them with a glass of water, milk, or any other drink to make it easier to swallow. Take another full dosage if you vomit for 30 minutes or less after taking the mefloquine. If you vomit between 30 and 60 minutes after taking mefloquine, take another half-dose. If your vomiting continues, call your doctor.

You should not take this medication if you have malaria.

• To prevent malaria, mefloquine should be taken one dose per week.
• Take the medication 1 to 3 weeks prior to entering an area with malaria. Continue to take the medication once a week throughout your stay in the area and for at least four weeks after leaving.
• Every week, take your dose on the same date.
• Contact a healthcare professional if you decide to stop taking the medication early.

Take mefloquine for malaria treatment.

• Follow the instructions of your doctor.

Use mosquito nets around your bed, protective clothing, and insect repellents in addition to mefloquine to prevent mosquito bites, which could lead to malaria. You may require frequent blood tests if you are taking this medication for a long time to monitor your liver function. You may also be asked to have your vision checked.

If you are experiencing fever or any other symptoms after or during a trip to an area where malaria occurs, you should contact your doctor immediately. Malaria is not 100% preventable or treatable by medication. To get the best results, use the medication according to the instructions. Speak to your doctor if your symptoms include fever, nausea, or diarrhea. Store away from heat and moisture at room temperature.

What happens if I miss the dose?

You may not have a schedule for mefloquine because it is usually taken as a single dosage. If you have a weekly regimen, take the missed dose as quickly as you can. Next, take your usual dose the next day. You should not take extra medicine to compensate for the missed dose. If you have forgotten to take your medicine in the week prior to your trip, call your doctor.

What happens if I overdose?

Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.

What should be avoided?

You should not take halofantrine or ketoconazole during the time you are taking mefloquine or for 15 weeks following your stoppage. If you use halofantrine prior to the clearance of mefloquine from your system, serious and life-threatening effects can occur in your heart. Take care not to take chloroquine or quinine while taking mefloquine. Mefloquine may cause side effects that can impair your reactions or thinking. You should be careful when you are driving, operating machinery, flying an airplane, diving, or doing anything else that requires alertness.

Interaction with other drug

Mefloquine can interact with many drugs. This list may not cover every possible interaction. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications or if you should stop taking them.

• Heart or blood pressure medications;
• Medicine to treat mental illness or depression
• Seizure medication;
• Tuberculosis Medication
• A "live" vaccination such as MMR (measles, rubella, mumps, and rubella)

Mefloquine can interact with many drugs. This list isn't complete. Included are prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Provide a list to your healthcare provider.