Mefloquine is a good option to prevent and treat certain types of malaria. It's taken once a week for prevention and as a one-time dose for treatment. The medication can't be used in people with a history of mood disorders or seizures.
Treatment and prevention of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax
Note: When used for the treatment of malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax, you will need to combine mefloquine with another antimalarial medication called primaquine.
Mefloquine is an antimalarial medication. It prevents and kills two forms of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax.
Source:Â DailyMed
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.
Good for prevention if you're taking a long trip, because it's only taken once weekly
Can be used in children weighing more than 20 kg
Available as a generic
Has more side effects than other antimalarials
Needs to be started 1 to 3 weeks before traveling if you're using it to prevent malaria
Not a good option for people who with active depression, a recent history of depression, anxiety, psychosis, schizophrenia or other major psychiatric conditions, or history of convulsions
Take mefloquine with food and a full glass of water.
If you can't swallow tablets or if you're giving mefloquine to a child, you can crush the tablet and mix the medication with some water, milk, applesauce, or other foods.
If you're taking mefloquine for malaria prevention, make sure to take the medication 1 to 3 weeks prior to arriving at your destination, then weekly while in the malaria zone, and continue taking it for 4 weeks after leaving.
Mefloquine can cause dizziness, loss of balance, and unusual dreams. Avoid driving a car or doing anything that requires you to be alert until you know how mefloquine will affect you.
Mefloquine can be used in most parts of the world for prevention, except in southeast Asia. This is why your healthcare provider will check the CDC website and determine if mefloquine is the best option for you based on your destination(s).
Mefloquine can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: History of mood and mental health problems
Mefloquine can change your mood and behavior even after this medication has been stopped. These changes can include suicidal thoughts and behaviors, anxiety, paranoia, depression, hallucinations, and delusions. Don't take mefloquine if you have a history of major depression, generalized anxiety, psychosis, schizophrenia or any other mental health problems. If you don't have a history of these, but you experience unusual moods or behaviors, let your healthcare provider know.
Risk factors: Taking medications like halofantrine, ketoconazole, quinine (Qualaquin), or quinidine
Mefloquine can cause a heart problem known as QT prolongation (changes in the beats and electrical signals of your heart). Certain medications that shouldn't be taken together are halofantrine (an antimalarial) and ketoconazole (an antifungal). Many other medications can also cause this heart problem, so let your healthcare provider know what medications you are taking before starting mefloquine.
Mefloquine can cause you to feel faint, dizzy, have ringing in your ears, and lose your balance. Don't drive or participate in any activities that need you to be alert before you become used to mefloquine. If you experience any of these problems, let your healthcare provider know.
Risk factors: History of convulsions or seizures | Taking quinine (Qualaquin) or chloroquine
Mefloquine can raise your risk of seizures. Your risk might be higher if you're taking mefloquine with other antimalarial medications like quinine (Qualaquin) or chloroquine. Because of this risk, mefloquine shouldn't be used with these medications and shouldn't be used to treat malaria in people with a history of seizures. Let your healthcare provider know if you've had seizures in the past before you start mefloquine.
Some people taking mefloquine have had eye problems, including those affecting the nerves in your eyes. Talk to your healthcare provider or optometrist if you experience any changes in your vision.
Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
---|---|---|---|
250mg | 8 tablets | $28.26 | $3.53 |
Each tablet contains 250 mg of mefloquine.
Treatment of malaria in adults: Take 1,250 mg (5 tablets) by mouth as a single dose. Take this medication with a meal and with 8 ounces of water.
Prevention of malaria in adults: Take 250 mg (1 tablet) by mouth once weekly while you are in an area or country where there is malaria. You must start the medication 1 week before arriving to the area with malaria, and continue the medication for 4 weeks after leaving the country with malaria. Take the medication on the same day and time each week with a meal. Sometimes your healthcare provider might have you start the medication 2 to 3 weeks before traveling.
Treatment or prevention of malaria in children weighing 20 kg or greater: Ask your child's provider to see what the appropriate dose of mefloquine is. The dose will depend on your child's weight.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Active or history of depression
History of anxiety problems, psychosis, schizophrenia, or other major psychiatric conditions
History of convulsions
Treatment and prevention of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax
Note: When used for the treatment of malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax, you will need to combine mefloquine with another antimalarial medication called primaquine.
Prevention and treatment of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum species
Treatment of uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum in people ages 16 years and older
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