The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Most common side effects when used for treatment of malaria:
- Dizziness
- Muscle pain
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Skin rash
- Fever
- Chills
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Ringing sound in ears (tinnitus)
Most common side effects when used for prevention of malaria:
- Vomiting (3%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Dizziness
- Sudden drop in blood pressure
- Changes or slowing of your heart beat
- Hair loss
- Emotional or mood changes
- Seizures
- Itching
- Tiredness
Mefloquine serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Frequent episodes of fevers, tiredness, or chills (these can be signs of a sudden drop in white blood cells, which raises your risk of serious infections)
Source: DailyMed
The following Mefloquine side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
Aching joints and muscles
blistering, loosening, peeling, or redness of the skin
chest pain or discomfort
chills
confusion
convulsions (seizures)
cough or hoarseness
dizziness
fainting
hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
irregular, pounding, slow, or fast heartbeat or pulse
irritability
lightheadedness
lower back or side pain
mental depression
painful or difficult urination
pinpoint red spots on the skin
red or irritated eye
restlessness
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
stiff neck
swelling of the ankles, feet, or lower legs
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Incidence not known
Blurred or loss of vision
continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
disturbed color perception
double vision
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
halos around lights
hearing loss
hearing problems
loss of balance
loss of bladder control
muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
night blindness
overbright appearance of lights
sensation of spinning
severe or continuing headache
sudden loss of consciousness
trouble sleeping
troubled breathing
tunnel vision
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Abnormal dreams
loss of appetite
skin rash
Rare
Loss of hair
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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