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Mefloquine Coupon - Mefloquine 250mg tablet

mefloquine

Generic Mefloquine
Used for Malaria

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.

Reviewed by:
reviewerDalga Surofchy, PharmD, APh
reviewerMichelle Nguyen, PharmD
Last reviewed on June 29, 2021
basics-icon

What is Mefloquine?

What is Mefloquine used for?

  • 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.

How Mefloquine works

Mefloquine is an antimalarial medication. It prevents and kills two forms of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax.

Drug facts

Common BrandsLarium(brand no longer available)
Drug ClassAntimalarial
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Side effects of Mefloquine

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

anxiety

blistering, loosening, peeling, or redness of the skin

chest pain or discomfort

chills

confusion

convulsions (seizures)

cough or hoarseness

dizziness

fainting

fever

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

sore throat

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:

More common

Diarrhea

emotional problems

nausea

stomach pain

Less common

Abnormal dreams

loss of appetite

skin rash

Rare

Loss of hair

Incidence not known

Acid or sour stomach

belching

flushing or redness of the skin

heartburn

indigestion

skin rash with a general disease

stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

swelling

unusually warm skin

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.

See more Mefloquine side effects
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$91.87(Save 69.24%)
GoodRx discount
$28.26
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Pros and cons of Mefloquine

Pros

  • 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

Cons

  • 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
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Pharmacist tips for Mefloquine

pharmacist
  • 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).
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Risks and warnings for Mefloquine

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.

Changes in mood and behavior

  • Risk factors: History of mood and mental health problems

Black Box Warning 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.

Heart problems

  • 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.

Feeling faint

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.

Seizures

  • 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.

Nerve and eye damage

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.

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Mefloquine dosage

The average cost for 8 tablets of 250mg of Mefloquine is $28.26 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 69.24% off the average retail price of $91.87.
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DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
250mg8 tablets$28.26$3.53
See more Mefloquine dosage
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Interactions between Mefloquine and other drugs

Mefloquine may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Mefloquine. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

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.

See more Mefloquine interactions
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How much does Mefloquine cost?

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Mefloquine (generic)
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$28.26

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Mefloquine contraindications

Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Mefloquine will not be safe for you to take.

  • Active or history of depression
  • History of anxiety problems, psychosis, schizophrenia, or other major psychiatric conditions
  • History of convulsions
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What are alternatives to Mefloquine?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Mefloquine. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Mefloquine
Used for:
  • 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.

$28.26Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Used for:
  • Prevention and treatment of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum species
$31.45Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Used for:
$36.09Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
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